A GOTHIC horror novel is being brought to the stage this month by the award winning Maldon Drama Group.

Dracula will be adapted for the stage be renowned playwrights John Godber and Jane Thornton, with the production being directed once again by Helen Rasmussen, whose last two productions scooped nine North Essex Theatre Guild nominations, including best overall production for the previous show Twelfth Night.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula tells the story of a young London solicitor Johnathan Harker who travels to Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase an estate in England. Harker soon realises the Count is not as he seems and realises he is a prisoner in the vampire’s castle.

The play will star Neil Fisher in the title role of Dracula, David Ford as Renfield, Paul Fisher as Seward and newcomer Jake Powell as Harker, with Michelle Edgington and Heather Sims Lucas as Lucy and Mina.

The group are aiming for a true gothic feel to get the audience in the mood for Halloween. An atmospheric set is promised from yet another award winner Robin Winder (NETG Best Set 2017 for Columbo) who also plays Professor Van Helsing.

The Maldon Drama Group was originally founded in 1952 as The All Saints Drama Guild, where they presented their productions at the Parish Hall on High Street, before moving to Church Hall on London Road for many years afterwards.

In 2002, on the guild’s 50th anniversary, they decided the time had come to update the group to reflect on progressive change from a predominantly church organisation to a more broadly based community group, so the guild was re-named The Maldon Drama Group.

At the end of the following year, they moved from the Church Hall to their present home at the Town Hall.

The show will be held over three days on Thursday October 19, Friday October 20 and Saturday October 21 at Maldon Town Hall. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets are £9 for stalls and £10 for balcony seats.

Call 01621 856503.