La Mama Courthouse Theatre is a wonderful space in Drummond St Carlton and as we walked into the grand little theatre the sound of chamber music wafted eerily from the musicians and conductor, Tom Pugh, setup stage left.
Written in 1872 by J. Sheridan LeFanu Carmilla is the story that inspired Bram Stoker’s vision of Dracula and all other vampiristic visions since.
The musical score composed by Adam Yee carries this play along providing a spooky and period perfect backing for this performance.
The story is based around the main protagonist Laura’s, a young English girl played by Georgia Brooks, anecdotal recollections of the events when a mysterious house guest at the castle beguiles her into a lesbian relationship, slowly becoming gaunt and listless, suffering apparently unaware of what the succubus Carmilla, Anna Burley, was doing to her.
There is much concern around the district also as many mysterious bloody deaths and the search is on led by General Spielsdorf, Amit Golder, and ably assisted by Laura’s father, played by Josh Porter. Laura’s woes are eventually discovered by her father who puts paid to the blood sucking demon.
The scene in which Carmilla is dispatched was particularly clever though as blood ‘spills’ from the dying vampires mouth.
Although the music was chillingly perfect, often a slightly stilted performance from all the cast found more laughter than fear emanating from the audience and I left confused as to what the writer was trying to get across to us, but at an hours length Carmilla was an enjoyable romp into the darkside.
Directed by Karen Wakeham
Performed by Anna Burley, Georgia Brooks, Amit Golder, Joshua Porter, Danielle Carey
Conductor: Tom Pugh
Musicians: Liz Barcan, Pri Victor, Lyndon Chester, Rosanne Hunt,
Eidit Golder and Matan Franco
Lighting Designer: Emma Fox
Stage Designer: Helen Rofe
Stage Manager: Melanie Belcher
Makeup Artist: Janna Pechersky
Image by Jacques-Emile Blanche (The pink rose) 1890
(courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Gift of Alice Vaughan, 2008)
La Mama Courthouse
349 Drummond Street CARLTON
Tickets available via www.lamama.com.au or 9347 614
