Review – Dracula’s Retro Vampt

If there was ever a place to do the ‘timewarp’, it would have to be Dracula’s current show, Retro Vampt. Bleeding it’s gothic macabre with clever homages to the 1970’s, the show is silly, sexy, funny, fast-paced and extremely entertaining.

As an entry into this year’s Comedy Festival, I was sceptical about how a theatre restaurant cabaret show would hold up, with its vaudevillian structure and less than comedic core theme. But as with most horror movies, you’ll find yourself screaming as much as laughing as the incredibly adaptive and multi-talented cast distract you from your daily grind. I could actually go on and on about this 4+ hour show but I’ll try to stay concise.

Technically, the show works a treat with near-seamless transitions from one act to the next, and I could not fault any other aspect, but let’s get into the acts themselves. The show runs through 3 half-hour segments with a jazz set to settle you in with, which, while very smooth and tight, was missing some ‘thrill’. The acts themselves feature hilarious sketch comedy (though often harvested from YouTube), groan-worthy audience banter, awe-inspiring physical feats and beautifully performed musical numbers; a particular number performed in drag putting the likes of Courtney Act on notice. Led by and featuring Musical Director David Small, the band is full, fun and fabulous – not a bad achievement for only 2 musicians, both of whom are also cast members.

Retro Vampt is camp, curious and just a little bit naughty, but is without a doubt an enjoyable evening’s entertainment.