History Theatre / Dracula1924

Hamilton Deane's stage adaptation of ''Dracula'' was the first authorized adaptation of [[Literature/{{Dracula}} Bram Stoker's novel]]. It was first performed in Derby, England in 1924, with Edmund Blake in the title role, before moving to London three years later with Raymond Huntley taking over as the Count.

The script was significantly revised by John L. Balderston before the play crossed the Atlantic in 1927, and this revised version has been the basis for most subsequent productions of the play. The original Broadway production starred Creator/BelaLugosi as Count Dracula and Edward Van Sloan as Professor Van Helsing. It was a major influence on the [[Film/Dracula1931 Universal film version]] made three years later, in which Lugosi and Van Sloan reprised their roles. Many of the ClassicalMovieVampire tropes codified by the 1931 film had originated in the stage play (Dracula's black cape with its HighCollarOfDoom, for instance, was designed as part of a disappearing effect).

The 1977 Broadway revival starring Creator/FrankLangella and featuring very memorable sets by Creator/EdwardGorey was the basis of the [[Film/Dracula1979 1979 film version]].

Hamilton Deane's stage adaptation of ''Dracula'' was the first authorized adaptation of [[Literature/{{Dracula}} Bram Stoker's novel]]. It was first performed in England in 1924. The script was significantly revised by John L. Balderston before the play opened on Broadway in 1927, and the revised version has been the basis for most subsequent productions of the play.

The 1927 Broadway production starred Creator/BelaLugosi as Dracula and Edward Van Sloan as Professor Van Helsing. It was a major influence on the [[Film/Dracula1931 1931 film version]], in which Lugosi and Van Sloan reprised their roles. Many ClassicalMovieVampire tropes codified by the 1931 film originated in the play (the black cape with the HighCollarOfDoom, for instance, was designed as part of a disappearing effect).

* CrosscastRole: In the original 1924 production, Quincey Morris was played by a female actor.

Aside from Lugosi and Langella, later productions have seen the Count be played by Creator/RaulJulia, Creator/JeremyBrett, and Creator/TeranceStamp.

Aside from Lugosi and Langella, later productions have seen the Count be played by Creator/RaulJulia, Creator/JeremyBrett, and Creator/TerranceStamp.

Aside from Lugosi and Langella, later productions have seen the Count be played by Creator/RaulJulia, Creator/JeremyBrett, and Creator/TerranceStramp.

* DescendedCreator: The play's author Hamilton Deane, also originated the role of Van Helsing. (He initially intended to play Dracula himself, but decided against it.)

** In the revised version Lucy's entire subplot in the novel is cut, except for her being killed by Dracula, revived as a vampire, and killed again by Van Helsing, all of which happens off-stage and is related second-hand, so Lucy/Mina never appears in person. Two of her suitors, Quincey and Arthur, are dropped entirely, while Dr Seward becomes Mina/Lucy's [RelatedInTheAdaptation father instead.]]

* AdaptationNameChange: The play's Mina Weston is the equivalent of the novel's Lucy Westenra, while the play's Lucy Seward is the equivalent of the novel's Mina Murray.

** In the revised version Lucy's entire subplot in the novel is cut, except for her being killed by Dracula, revived as a vampire, and killed again by Van Helsing, all of which happens off-stage and is related second-hand, so Lucy/Mina never appears in person. Two of her suitors, Quincey and Arthur, are dropped entirely, while Dr Seward becomes Mina/Lucy's father instead.

The 1977 Broadway revival starring Creator/FrankLangella was the basis of the [[Film/Dracula1979 1979 film version]].

* BreakingAndBloodletting: Dracula enters Lucy's bedroom after it gets de-garliced by the maid under Dracula's influence.