Plays is protected by U.S. copyright law. Only current subscribers may use this Dramatized Classic (Upper Grades) play (www.playsmagazine.com). Dracula

A tension-filled adaptation of Bram Stoker’s thrilling tale. . .

Adapted by Joellen K. Bland

Characters luggage ) It’s Jonathan Harker. . .the lawyer you sent for from London! ( No JONATHAN HARKER answer ) The coachman said I should come in. ( Crosses center, sets down lug - COUNT DRACULA gage. Suddenly, door slams behind THREE VAMPIRES him. He turns quickly. ) Count? ( Opens door, looks out, steps in, closing door ) MINA HARKER That’s odd. ( Looks around ) Gloomy old place. ( Notices table ) Ah, see here, the LUCY WESTENRA table is set! ( Stands with back to win - dow. COUNT DRACULA, in black, DR. JOHN SEWARD with black cape, suddenly enters at PROF. ABRAHAM VAN HELSING window .)

RENFIELD, a patient DRACULA : Welcome to Castle Dracula, Mr. Harker! KARNES, an attendant HARKER (Startled; turning ): Oh! Count Dracula? ( DRACULA bows .) Forgive SCENE 1 me. ( Bows ) I didn’t hear you come in. I TIME : Turn of the century. apologize for arriving so late. It must be well after midnight. SETTING : A gloomy room in Castle Dracula, in Transylvania. Torches over DRACULA : I am often up at this hour of fireplace give flickering light. Table, the night. You will need food and rest center, is set with dishes of food, etc. after your long journey. ( Crosses to Large open window is at left, and work - table ) Won’t you sit down and eat? ing door, at right. HARKER (As DRACULA pours wine ): AT RISE : After a moment of silence, a Thank you. Will you join me? knock is heard. DRACULA : I have already dined, and I JONATHAN HARKER (Calling off right ): do not drink. . .wine, that is. Hello? ( Creaking sound is heard as HARKER opens door and looks in. ) HARKER (Sitting at table ): I’ve never Count Dracula? ( Steps in, carrying eaten on gold tableware.

PLAYS • playsmag.com 21 DRACULA : It has been in my family for DRACULA (Rushing to HARKER; fierce - many generations. ly ): Your finger bleeds!

HARKER (Holding up plate ): Extremely HARKER (Drawing back, alarmed ): It’s well polished! I can see my reflection in only a scratch. ( Pulls out handkerchief, this piece. ( He starts, then looks quick - wraps it around his finger ) ly up at DRACULA .) That’s odd. DRACULA (Slowly turning away, DRACULA (Quickly stepping aside ): Is breathing hard ): Take care, Mr. Har- something the matter? ker. A cut. . .can be very dangerous.

HARKER (With a nervous laugh ): I did - HARKER : Yes, it was clumsy of me. n’t see your reflection in the plate, but (Uncomfortably ) I had planned to stay I thought you were standing beside only a day or two, Count. me. DRACULA (Icily ): You will stay as long DRACULA : The shadows in this room as I need you! ( Fiercely gazes at HARK - can be deceiving, Mr. Harker. Please— ER, then turns and sits ) enjoy your meal. ( Sits in opposite chair ) HARKER (Uneasily ): Very well. I will write to my wife and tell her my visit HARKER (Staring at DRACULA a will be longer than I expected. moment, then beginning to eat ): This is delicious. ( Sound of wolves howling is DRACULA : Good. ( Calmly ) Now, tell me heard off left; HARKER looks up, about the house you have purchased alarmed .) Wolves! They sound very for me. close. ( Continues to eat ) HARKER (Clearing his throat ): Yes, of DRACULA (Pleased ): Listen to them! course. It is called Carfax, and dates The children of the night. What music back to medieval times. they make! ( With a sly smile ) But you are a city dweller, and perhaps you do DRACULA : That will suit me perfectly. I not share my feelings. am of an ancient family. ( Harshly ) The blood of Attila the Hun flows in my HARKER : I’m afraid not. But you’ll soon veins! ( Quietly ) Shall I have any close be a city dweller yourself, Count, once neighbors at Carfax? you move to London. HARKER : Only Dr. John Seward, a DRACULA (Sighing ): Yes. I have read of respectable gentleman who operates a your great city, and I long to go there, private hospital for the insane. to share its life and ( Mysteriously ) its death. I want you to arrange my jour - DRACULA : Very well. ( Sound of howl - ney to England, Mr. Harker. I shall ing ) Ah! An hour until dawn. ( Rises ) I require your services for at least a must leave you now. Sleep well, Mr. month. Harker. ( Smiles, baring his teeth ) And dream well! ( Bows and sweeps out ) HARKER (Startled ): A month! ( He cuts himself on knife; in pain ) Ah! HARKER : What a strange man! ( Sound of howling ) I’m beginning to wish I DRACULA : What is it? hadn’t come! ( Goes to luggage ) I must write all this down in my journal, but HARKER : I’ve cut my finger. first a letter to Mina. ( Takes paper

2 PLAYS • playsmag.com from bag ) It’s so dim in here. I’d better exit right. DRACULA looks trium- ask the Count for a candle. ( Crosses to phantly at HARKER .) You will remain door, tries to open it, finds it locked ) here for as long as I command! ( DRAC - Locked! ( Pounds on door ) Count ULA crosses to window, spreads cape Dracula! ( No answer ) Count Dracula! and swoops out. Lights slowly fade up (No answer; he turns away .) Why as HARKER stirs and awakens .) would he lock me in? Am I his guest or his prisoner? ( Sound of howling; he HARKER : What horrid dream was this? crosses to window .) This window must Or was it a dream? ( Sits up ) Those be a hundred feet above ground! How creatures meant to suck my blood! brightly the moon shines. ( Leans out (Rushes to door, frantically shakes window ) What’s that? Something mov - handle ) Still locked! ( Stumbles back to ing below me! ( Leans out window; couch ) What is happening? I must get astonished ) I can’t believe my eyes! out of this place! ( Blackout. After a Count Dracula, crawling down the cas - moment, lights come up on tired-look - tle wall—head first—with his cloak ing HARKER, who is at table, writing .) spread out behind him like the wings Today marks my fourth week here, of a bat! ( Turns into room, overcome and I have not left this room. I fear I with fear ) What is this creature in the shall never leave it! Count Dracula has form of a man? ( Stumbles to couch ) always been very secretive, and he has What’s happening to me? ( Wipes brow ) destroyed every personal letter I have There’s a mist before me. . .something tried to send. His fierce, hypnotic eyes cloudy. . .I can’t move! ( With effort ) I. . terrify me, and his hand, whenever it . I feel sleepy, but I can’t close my eyes. happens to brush against mine, is cold (Lies motionless as THREE VAM- as death! Every night in his terrible PIRES in white gowns enter righ t) presence I become more weak, help - less, unable to control my own will! 1ST VAMPIRE (Urgently, to 3RD ): Go Every night—( He looks up, struck with on. You are first tonight. sudden thought .) Every night! Why have I never seen him by day? He and 2ND VAMPIRE : Yes, go on. The master those hideous, laughing women always has brought him here for us. vanish at dawn! ( Rises, putting note- book into pocket ) Tomorrow the Count 3RD VAMPIRE : But the master said we leaves for England—he has also must not touch him! arranged to ship fifty large boxes—but he has said nothing about my depar - 1ST VAMPIRE : We are hungry! This ture. He must plan to leave me man’s blood is warm and waiting. Go behind—a helpless prisoner. Those on! ( 3RD VAMPIRE bends over HARK - women. . .they must be waiting for my ER, baring her teeth. 1ST and 2ND blood! ( Rushes to window ) I must get VAMPIRES hover expectantly. out of this room! If Dracula can find Sudden-ly, DRACULA swoops in from footholds along these walls, so can I! If window, furious. He flings 3RD VAM - what I suspect is true, I must find him PIRE aside and angrily gestures the before the sun sets! ( Climbs out win - other two away .) dow. Curtain ) * * * DRACULA : How dare you touch him SCENE 2 when I have forbidden it! This man SETTING : A burial vault in castle. Two belongs to me! When I have finished coffins with closed lids are center. with him, then you may have him. Now, go and seek your prey in the vil - AT RISE : HARKER enters left, carrying lage! ( Laughing harshly, VAMPIRES a candle.

3 PLAYS • playsmag.com HARKER : This underground crypt terri - almost three months without a word, I fies me. ( Sees coffins ) What’s this? have a letter from my beloved Jona- (Looks closer ) A shipping label directed than, in a hospital in Budapest. He has to Carfax? Why would Count Dracula been dangerously ill, the result of some send coffins to England? ( Cautiously, terrible shock. But he is nearly well he lifts lid of one box ) Dirt? A coffin full and will soon be home. If only I could of dirt? ( Lifts lid of second coffin, then be equally happy for my poor friend recoils in horror ) Count Dracula! Lucy! Her strange illness is much Dead? ( Looks closer ) No, he can’t be! worse, and Dr. John Seward has His eyes are open. . .yet they are brought her here to his private hospi - glassy. His lips are red. . .blood-red! tal. It is quiet except for one patient (Holds his hand before DRACULA’s who escapes from his room every day. face ) No breath! ( Eagerly ) He is dead! (MINA looks up as RENFIELD, bare - (Leans closer, then freezes in horror ) foot and wearing pajamas, dashes in .) No! His eyes. . .his terrible red eyes. No! ( With a great effort he turns away, RENFIELD (Calling over shoulder ): You slams lid closed and staggers back - can’t catch me, Karnes! I can run ward onto other coffin .) Count Dracula faster than you! ( He stumbles and falls is a vampire! ( Suddenly realizing ) To- beside desk .) morrow when those boxes are shipped to England, he will lie in one of them! MINA : Oh! ( Goes to him ) Have you hurt Of course! It is the only way he can yourself? Let me help you. ( Helps him travel such a great distance without to his feet ) rays of sun. ( Jumps up ) I can’t let him go to England. ( Looks around wildly, RENFIELD : I’m all right. ( Anxiously ) picks up loose board ) I must stop him! Please, don’t tell Karnes where I am. (Flings up coffin lid and raises board to strike, but cries out and his arms stop KARNES (Off left, closer ): Renfield! in midair ) No! His eyes—I cannot look at him! ( Tries to lower board, but can - RENFIELD : Please don’t let him lock me no t) I must break his spell! ( Suddenly ) up again. It’s so lonely. ( Huddles I know—the cross. ( With tremendous behind MINA as KARNES enters, fol - effort, he moves one of his arms so it lowed by DR. JOHN SEWARD .) forms a cross with board. Sound of hissing is heard from inside coffin. KARNES : Here he is, Dr. Seward. HARKER falls backward .) Yes! The cross repels vampires. The spell he MINA : Must you take him away? held me in has been broken. (Desperately ) I must get to England KARNES : Yes, ma’am. He’s under treat - before he does! ( Keeping cross before ment, you see, and shouldn’t be out of him, he backs off left. Blackout ) his room. Come along, Renfield. ( Leads * * * RENFIELD off right ) SCENE 3 TIME : Evening, six weeks later. MINA : The poor man.

SETTING : Dr. Seward’s Hospital, out - SEWARD : He is a rather sad case. Has side London. Writing desk is at right. delusions, sees things no one else can see. AT RISE : Lights come up on MINA HARKER, writing at desk. MINA : I hope you can help him.

MINA : August 19th. At last, after SEWARD : I’m sure we can, Mrs.

4 PLAYS • playsmag.com Harker. . . .I understand your husband MINA : Very well. ( Exits right with VAN will arrive in a few days. HELSING )

MINA (Smiling ): Yes. I’m so eager to SEWARD (Shaking his head ): Now, why see him. He’s had a very hard time. does he want to see the gardener? (Exits left; blackout; curtain ) SEWARD : I’m sure you will be the right * * * cure for him—just as your being here SCENE 4 is helping your friend. TIME : A few minutes later.

MINA (Concerned ): How is Lucy this SETTING : Lucy’s hospital room, with evening, Dr. Seward? bed near window at left, small table and two chairs before fireplace at cen - SEWARD : No better, I’m afraid. But I’ve ter. Mina’s desk remains down right. called in Professor Van Helsing, the There is a tray with coffeepot, cups on best rare-disease specialist in Europe. table; curtains at window. He’s examining Lucy now. If anyone can help her, he can. AT RISE : LUCY WESTENRA lies in bed. SEWARD is drawing curtains. PROF. VAN HELSING (Entering left ): Ah, here you are, John! SEWARD : Try to sleep now, Lucy.

SEWARD : Professor! Let me introduce LUCY : But I am afraid to sleep, Dr. Lucy’s dearest friend, Mina Harker. Seward. Every night, I have the same horrible dream! I see two burning red VAN HELSING (Bowing ): Mrs. Harker. eyes and a vicious face bending over me. It doesn’t remain long, but it terri - MINA : Professor Van Helsing. Thank fies me! Afterwards, I awaken feeling you for coming. so weak. . .so ill.

SEWARD : What is your opinion of Miss SEWARD (In reassuring tone ): You may Lucy, Professor? sleep tonight without fear. I’ll keep watch, and if I see any evidence of bad VAN HELSING : She has lost much dreams, I’ll wake you at once. blood, yet shows no signs of anemia. She complains of difficulty in breath - LUCY : I want to sleep so much—peace - ing, heavy sleep, and dreams that ful, restful sleep. ( Gratefully ) Thank frighten her. But the most serious you, Dr. Seward. ( VAN HELSING and symptom, and one she cannot explain, MINA enter with box of flowers .) are the two small punctures in her throat! SEWARD : Well, Professor, what do you have there? SEWARD : Do you know what is wrong with her? VAN HELSING : A cure, I hope!

VAN HELSING : I have a suspicion, but I MINA : It’s the strangest medicine I’ve pray I am mistaken. Nevertheless, I ever seen. Garlic flowers! must take precautions. Go back to her, John. She must not be left alone. Mrs. VAN HELSING : We must hang them Harker, will you come with me to find around the window, door, and fire - the gardener? place. ( He and MINA hang flowers. ) Ah, I see you turn up your nose, Miss

5 PLAYS • playsmag.com Lucy, but these flowers are strong (Playfully ) I’ll run and you can chase medicine. me. ( Runs out )

LUCY (Smiling ): Very strong! I believe SEWARD : No! Wait! Renfield! ( Runs out you are playing a joke to cheer me up, after him; howling sound again, then Professor. fluttering and banging sounds at win - dow. LUCY tosses fitfully. RENFIELD VAN HELSING : It is not a joke! There is reenters, laughing, looking over his a purpose in all I do. You must also shoulder .) wear a wreath of these around your neck. ( Puts flowers around LUCY’s RENFIELD : I tricked you, Dr. Seward. neck ) You won’t find me for a long time. (Sound of thunder; he turns abruptly to SEWARD : If I didn’t know better, I’d say window, transfixed; in awed tone ) Yes, you were trying to keep out an evil master, I obey your command. ( Crosses spirit. to window, opens curtains and removes garlic flowers ) I’ll take the flowers VAN HELSING (Quietly ): Perhaps I am. away. I know you don’t like them. Now, Miss Lucy, you must sleep. And (Gently slips flowers from around take care not to disturb these flowers, LUCY’s neck, then turns to window ) It no matter how disagreeable they may is done, master. Now reward me as you be. promised! ( Sound of thunder. Light- ning is seen and DRACULA leaps into LUCY : I won’t, Professor. Thank you. room at window. Frightened, REN - FIELD backs toward door. ) VAN HELSING : Good night. ( Exits ) DRACULA : I will reward you, Renfield, MINA : Good night, Lucy. Sleep well. but I have more important matters to (Arranges covers over LUCY, kisses her attend to now. on forehead, then exits. SEWARD pours cup of coffee. Sound of howling is RENFIELD : Yes, master. I will wait. But heard off left. LUCY stirs restlessly .) don’t forget me! Don’t forget Renfield! (Runs out, closing door. DRACULA SEWARD (Startled ): What on earth is turns toward LUCY, who suddenly that? There are no wolves around here. wakes, sits up, and stares, terrified .) Must be some stray dogs. (Sounds of fluttering and banging outside win - DRACULA : My nocturnal visits to you dow) Now, what? ( Crosses to window, are almost over. Soon you shall be pulls curtains aside ) Why, it’s the entirely mine. . .you shall be as I am! biggest bat I’ve ever seen! ( Waves arm ) (Moves her ) Do not resist! It is useless. Get away! Go on! Confounded crea - No one can resist Dracula! ( Raises ture! There, gone. ( Closes curtains, cape; there is a flash of lightning, then looks at LUCY, who lies quietly ) Good. thunder. Blackout for a moment to She’s asleep. ( RENFIELD bursts in .) indicate passage of time. When lights come up, it is the next morning. LUCY RENFIELD : Dr. Seward! is in bed. SEWARD sleeps in chair. VAN HELSING enters with MINA .) SEWARD (Crossing to him; gently ): Now, Renfield, you know you mustn’t MINA (Worried ): I hope Lucy is all be out of your room. I’ll take you back. right. ( Crosses to bed )

RENFIELD : No! I don’t want to go back. VAN HELSING : Poor John. He looks

6 PLAYS • playsmag.com exhausted. ( Shakes SEWARD ) John, let her touch you! This will pass in a wake up! moment. ( LUCY struggles frantically, then suddenly falls back, limp. ) SEWARD (Waking ): What? Oh. . .I must have nodded off. How is Miss Lucy? MINA : Lucy!

MINA (Screaming ): Professor! LUCY (Weakly ): Mina, pray for me. Pro- fessor, I think you know what has hap - VAN HELSING : What is it? ( Rushes to pened to me. Give me peace, if you can. bed ) She has lost more blood! A great deal of blood! VAN HELSING : I will, Miss Lucy. I swear it! ( LUCY smiles, closes her eyes MINA : The garlic flowers are gone! and turns her head away .)

SEWARD : But that’s impossible! She MINA : Lucy! ( Kneels beside bed, sob - slept soundly all night. bing ) Oh, Lucy!

VAN HELSING : Are you sure? Were you VAN HELSING : She’s dead, but her suf - here every minute? fering is just beginning. I will do what - ever I must to make sure no one else SEWARD : Yes! I went to sleep only after suffers as she has! ( Blackout. Curtain. the sun came up. ( After a pause ) Wait. After a moment, lights come up on I was gone a little while when I went MINA, writing at desk down right .) after Renfield. MINA : A week ago my poor Lucy was VAN HELSING : Renfield? buried in the Hampstead Hill church- yard. How I miss my dearest friend! SEWARD : Yes. He escaped from his Professor Van Helsing is determined to room again last night. But I wasn’t find the cause of her death. Thank gone more than ten minutes. heaven Jonathan is here now, al- though it breaks my heart to see him VAN HELSING : Ah! That was long so pale and worn, so nervous and agi - enough! ( Takes LUCY’s pulse ) tated. Last night he gave me his jour - nal to read. What a terrible ordeal he MINA (Frightened ): Professor, I’ve experienced! I thank heaven for his never seen her so pale. escape from Castle Dracula, and trem - ble when I think that he has sworn to VAN HELSING : Her heartbeat is very find that monster here. weak. She must have a transfusion. (Brings bag of instruments to bed and HARKER (Running in with newspaper; rolls up one of his sleeves. LUCY gasps anxiously ): Mina! I saw him! for breath. ) The two punctures in her throat are fresher, tinged with blood. MINA (Frightened ): Do you mean— (Raises LUCY’s head. She gasps, look - ing wildly around .) HARKER : Dracula! Yes! He has arrived at Carfax. And look at this in today’s MINA : Professor, what’s happening to paper! ( Hands her newspaper ) her? ( LUCY suddenly bares her teeth, growls, lunges at SEWARD . VAN MINA (Reading ): A Hampstead Mys- HELSING holds her back .) tery. During the past week in the neighborhood of Hampstead, several VAN HELSING : Stay back, John! Don’t young children have strayed from

7 PLAYS • playsmag.com home. They often remain lost over- MINA (Covering her face ): Oh, how hor - night, then are found the next morn - rible! ing, all wounded in the throat, as if attacked by an animal. The children SEWARD : Professor, what can we do? tell of being led away by a beautiful lady in a long white dress. ( Looks up ) VAN HELSING : To free her from What does this mean? Dracula’s power and give her eternal rest, we must seal her tomb after she HARKER : I believe Professor Van leaves it at night. Then we will wait for Helsing can explain it. He must read her to return. She will not be able to my journal. Come! ( Leads her off right. enter, and if we keep her within a cir - Blackout. Curtains open, lights up on cle of crosses until sunrise, she will hospital room. VAN HELSING, find her final peace. SEWARD, HARKER, and MINA are gathered around table; journal and MINA : Heaven help her! newspaper are on table .) VAN HELSING : We shall do it tonight. VAN HELSING : Jonathan, you were for - Then, we must track Count Dracula tunate to escape with only a temporary and destroy him! Jonathan, can you breakdown of your sanity. remember all the places he sent his coffins filled with his native soil? SEWARD (Shaking his head ): This is incredible! Count Dracula—a vam - HARKER : Yes. Carfax, Whitby, and pire—at Carfax! ( To VAN HELSING ) Exeter. But there are fifty coffins! How can we be rid of this monster? VAN HELSING : We must locate each one VAN HELSING : First, we must free Miss and purify it with the cross so he can - Lucy from his bondage. not use it. Then we will arm ourselves with the things that repel him—garlic MINA : But Lucy is dead! and the cross—and when he seeks us out, as he most definitely will, we shall VAN HELSING (Pointing to paper; sober - trap him! Come, we have much to do, ly ): Not really. She is the beautiful lady and little time to accomplish it! of the Hampstead Mystery. (Blackout. Curtain. A moment later, lights come up on MINA seated at her HARKER : She has become like the vam - desk, writing. She wears a large cross pires I saw at Castle Dracula. on chain around her neck .)

SEWARD : But, how? MINA : The task is done. At last, my dear Lucy’s spirit is at peace. ( Sound of VAN HELSING : When the vampire howling; she looks up a moment, then sucked her blood and she appeared to continues writing .) Professor Van die, he made her like himself—undead. Helsing and Jonathan have found all but one of Count Dracula’s coffins. MINA : What do you mean—undead? Now we wait for this monster to seek his revenge upon us. Dr. Seward VAN HELSING : Vampires are cursed believes that Renfield was the means with immortality. By night they feast of Dracula’s entrance here, for the on blood of the living, and so add new vampire can enter only when invited victims to their kind. Lucy has begun by someone inside the house. her undead existence on Hampstead Hill. RENFIELD (Rushing into room, very agi -

8 PLAYS • playsmag.com tated ): Mrs. Harker! Mrs. Harker! Dracula should find a way in, the four of us can hold him here until dawn. MINA (Jumping up ): Renfield! (Checks watch ) It is less than an hour until sunrise. RENFIELD : My master wants me to come to him, but I don’t want to! You SEWARD : What if we fail? are my friend. ( Loud sound of howling; he turns to window, clutching throat as HARKER : We mustn’t fail! if being strangled .) No! No, master! (Turns to MINA; anxiously ) I must KARNES (Running in; breathlessly ): Dr. warn you! ( KARNES, SEWARD, Seward, Renfield’s escaped onto the HARKER, and VAN HELSING enter. grounds. I’ll need some help to catch All except KARNES wear crosses on him. chains around their necks .) VAN HELSING : We mustn’t lose sight of KARNES : There he is! him. Come on! ( Runs out, followed by KARNES, SEWARD ) SEWARD : Take him back to his room, Karnes, and stay with him. HARKER : Mina, you stay here. The room is sealed. RENFIELD : No! Wait! ( Dodges around desk ) Mrs. Harker, you must leave at MINA : I’ll be all right. Be careful, once! ( Sound of howling again; REN - Jonathan! ( HARKER exits; MINA clos - FIELD falls to his knees, clutching es door. Sound of howling off left; throat, facing window .) No, master! MINA folds arms tightly .) Leave me alone! RENFIELD (Off left ): Help! Somebody KARNES (Puzzled ): What’s the matter help me! He’s following me! I can’t get with him? away from him!

MINA (Gently ): Renfield, why do you MINA : Renfield! want me to leave? RENFIELD (Wildly; off left ): Help! RENFIELD (Urgently ): My master said Please, help me! he was coming for you. ( He winces and clutches throat, struggling to speak .) MINA : Poor Renfield! ( Runs to window, He said I must let him in, just as I did pulls curtains aside, looks out ) I can’t before. ( He pulls hands from throat; see him. What’s that? Something in angrily .) But he promised to reward the air. . .a bat, flying right toward the me, and he hasn’t kept his promise! I’m window! ( She backs away .) No. . . no! very angry with him! Please go, while (She reaches for her cross, but her there is still time! ( Runs out ) hands stop in midair; she stops, staring fixedly out window. ) The eyes. . .the KARNES : I’ll get him, Dr. Seward! burning red eyes. . .no! ( She backs (Runs out ) away a step, then stops, transfixed; sound of thunder ) Yes. . .I will do as HARKER (Excitedly ): There’s no doubt you command. ( Slowly, she takes cross that Dracula has power over Renfield, from neck and drops it on floor. Then but he can’t overpower us! Each of us is she removes garlic flowers from win - wearing a cross. I’ve made sure there is dow, opens pane .) It is done. Come in. garlic at every window, door, and fire - (She backs slowly to center as DRACU - place in the hospital. And even if LA sweeps in through window. )

9 PLAYS • playsmag.com DRACULA : You have a strong will, but I LA recoils, hissing, releasing HARK - am stronger! You seek to destroy me, ER. MINA pulls HARKER away .) but you will submit to my power! You will become mine forever! ( Raises cape VAN HELSING : Remember our plan. and moves toward her. MINA remains Surround him! ( VAN HELSING transfixed ) guards door, SEWARD, fireplace, HARKER and MINA, window .) RENFIELD (Bursting through door ): No, master! Do not touch her! DRACULA (Hissing ): You’re clever, Van Helsing, but you cannot win! ( Hurls DRACULA : Fool! You betrayed me! himself at window, but HARKER (Moves toward RENFIELD ) springs forward with cross; DRACULA yells, cringes .) RENFIELD : No! I’m not your slave any - more! ( Leaps at DRACULA; DRACU - HARKER : We must hold him off a little LA seizes him by the throat. REN - longer! It is almost sunrise! ( DRACU - FIELD struggles for a moment, then LA rushes at door .) collapses and falls lifeless to the floor .) MINA : Watch out, Professor! ( VAN DRACULA (Turning to MINA ): Now, I HELSING holds out cross and DRAC - must drink. . .and fly to my resting ULA turns back .) place. I haven’t much time! ( Raises his cape and moves toward MINA. VAN HELSING : You cannot escape, SEWARD, HARKER, and VAN HELS - monster! ( Sound of cock crowing is ING rush in, each holding cross out in heard off left. DRACULA, frantic, front of him .) hurls himself at window. Rays of sun - light shine in, and he falls back with a HARKER : Mina! Mina! ( DRACULA cry of rage .) whirls around, enraged. MINA, star - tled out of her trance, screams and HARKER : Move in! Keep him in the sun - recoils, but DRACULA seizes her. ) light! ( VAN HELSING and SEWARD move behind DRACULA .) VAN HELSING : Surround him with your crosses! DRACULA : My curse upon you, Jon- athan Harker! My curse upon all of DRACULA (Backing away ): Foolish mor - you! ( Trapped between brightening tals! You dare try to destroy me? Just sunlight and circle of crosses, he as I have conquered my enemies for cringes and cowers, hissing and hundreds of years, I shall conquer you! snarling. He is forced to edge of win - This woman shall become as I am, and dow; he turns, blinded, falls through then each of you in turn shall become window with strangled cry. All rush to her victims! look out .)

HARKER (Desperately ): You’ll never MINA : Now his tormented soul may have her, you devil! ( Leaps at DRACU - find peace at last! LA, dropping his cross ) HARKER (Holding MINA ): This horror MINA : Jonathan, no! ( DRACULA is ended, Mina. We are free of Dracula releases MINA, seizes HARKER by forever! ( Curtain ) throat. VAN HELSING thrusts his THE END cross into DRACULA’s face. DRACU -

10 PLAYS • playsmag.com PRODUCTION NOTES Dracula

CHARACTERS : 6 male; 5 female. lets, wine bottle. Walls are hung with PLAYING TIME : 35 minutes. tapestries and lighted torches. Scene 2: COSTUMES : British dress of the turn of before curtain. Bare stage with two the century. Seward, white doctor’s coffins, center, and board on floor near - coat. Dracula, black suit, long black by. Scene 3, before curtain, desk and cape, pale make-up, fangs. Lucy, night - chair are at right. Scene 4, hospital gown. Renfield, pajamas. Karnes, room. The fireplace set in Scene 1 may white uniform. Vampires, long, white be used here, with different coverings gowns, pale make-up, blood-red lips. and decoration on furnishings. Add PROPERTIES : Luggage; handkerchief; curtains at windows, paintings on notebook and pencil; candle; paper; walls. Bed is at left, near window. pen and inkwell; coffeepot and cups on Small table and chairs are center. tray; box of “garlic flowers” on string; Desk remains down right. wreath of “garlic flowers”; doctor’s bag; LIGHTING : Flickering light from torch - newspaper; five crosses on chains; es; dim lighting for entrance of pocket watch. Vampires; subdued light in burial SETTING : Scene 1: a gloomy room in vault; bright light in Lucy’s room; Castle Dracula. At left is a window, lightning flashes; spotlight with yellow low to floor. It must be large enough to gel for sunlight in Scene 4; blackouts. allow easy passage by Dracula. Door is SOUND : Door creaking and slamming; at right. Stone fireplace, center. Large howling of wolves; thunder; fluttering table and heavy wooden armchairs are and banging at window. center, and couch is right. Table is set with “gold” plates, bowls of food, gob -

11 PLAYS • playsmag.com