Thurso High School- Advanced Higher
Liz Lochhead's 'Dracula'
'Dracula'
A play by Liz Lochhead
Adapted for the stage from the novel by Bram Stoker.
Bram Stoker's novel about the evil vampire Count Dracula has been adapted for film on
countless occasions. Often, the text is over simplified for the Hammer Horror audience.
The film adaptation for the Francis Ford Coppolla version, released in the 1990's was
closer to the text than most, and heavily stylized, drawing on the work of artists such as
the Pre-Raphaelites, who would have been Stoker's contemporaries.
Stoker, at the time of writing had become infected with a sexually transmitted diseasesyphilis, for which the only treatment at the time was arsenic. The references to blood
and to female sexuality are therefore in his novel written from a rather jaundiced
masculine viewpoint. The prejudices are those of the late 19th Century- an age when
women did not yet have the vote- or the right to a career or independence from the male.
The treatment of servants or social inferiors is also that of the Victorian hierarchical
society.
Lochhead's version, written in the 1980's for the Royal Lyceum Theatre, looks at the
same story from a feminist point of view, with a wry comment on the social mores of the
Victorians.
1
Thurso High School- Advanced Higher
Liz Lochhead's 'Dracula'
Act One
Scene 1
Lucy's first appearance is reminiscent of a Fragonard or Watteau painting from the court
of Louis XV. She is in her underwear on a swing. Why do you think she is portrayed in
such a whimsical and abandoned manner? What is Lochhead saying about Lucy's
character?
Why is Mina described as 'a peach eating one'?
What does their dialogue tell us about the relationship between the two?
Lochhead has chosen to make them sisters and change Lucy's surname from Westenra to
Westerman- a change from the novel.
Scene 2
In a stark contrast to the opening scene the second shows us the interior of a Victorian
mental asylum, where Dr. Seward works and where Renfield is a patient. The word
'Bedlam' sums it up.
Bedlam was the shortened name for the 'Star of Bethlehem' mental hospital in London. A
favourite activity of 18th and 19th Century gentry was to pay an admission fee and go to
laugh at the poor lunatics- in much the same way we might visit a zoo. The treatment of
mental illness was often appallingly cruel, and they lived in acutely uncomfortable
conditions, often chained up.
How is Renfield's madness conveyed?
Does Renfield know Lucy? Why are there so many references to her in this scene?
What are your first impressions of:
Renfield
Goldman
Seward
What has brought Harker to the vicinity?
Scene 3
What is the social link between Seward and Harker? Why would this have been
important? One is now a doctor, and the other a lawyer. One was a scholarship boy, the
other an aristocrat. Why does Lochhead include this? What is she suggesting?
Why would a marriage to Mina be a step down socially for Harker?
What does Seward have to say on the subject of madness?
2
Thurso High School- Advanced Higher
Liz Lochhead's 'Dracula'
How is the possible link between Lucy and Renfield developed?
Comment on 'lunacy'.
Often, madness (like the werewolf) was associated with the phases of the moon.
Why is so much emphasis placed on Carfax Abbey's gothic features?
Scene 4
The cruelty of 19thC treatment of the insane is highlighted here. How do you feel about
Renfield after reading this scene?
Scene 5
Is Jonathon always truthful with Mina?
Mina is seen using a typewriter. This invention allowed unmarried middle class women
the opportunity of employment other than that of governess or nurse- the beginnings of
feminine independence/
Show how Harker patronises Mina and Florrie.
What relationship has developed between Lucy and Seward?
How is Lucy's increasing mental instability hinted at?
How does Jonathon try to tempt Mina into sleeping with him before their marriage?
Why is neither Mina nor Jonathon prepared to give way to the other?
Scene 6
The same actress who portrays sadistic Grice and analytical Goldman plays saintly Nurse
Nisbett. Why does this happen?
Why does she also turn against Renfield?
Why does he have to eat living things?
Scene 7
In this scene we meet Count Dracula for the first time in the play. What is your first
impression of him? Is he correct in his reading of JH's character?
How does Dracula react to the photograph of the three girls?
Why is Lucy's Slavic appearance in contrast to Mina's English rose appeal significant?
What hints do we have of Dracula's extreme age?
3
Thurso High School- Advanced Higher
Liz Lochhead's 'Dracula'
How are his vampiric qualities suggested?
What is the irony of his speech about a dishonourable peace? Remember that Stoker did
not live to see WW1- but Lochhead knows all about the wars of the 20thC.
Comment on Dracula's reaction to the cheap lead crucifix.
How does Jonathon feel about the extended invitation to stay for longer? Does he have
any choice?
How do the two men react to the howling of the wolves?
Why does Dracula use destiny instead of destination?
Scene 8
Why is Mina confiding in Florrie?
Comment on Lucy's three proposals and her reaction to them- is she really so attractive?
How does each sister condemn the other to Florrie?
What is Lucy's objection to the lilies?
Is Mina really interested in treating her servant as an equal- or is she simply another
middle class snob?
Scene 9
Comment on the little episode on p98 that involves all of the vampiric symbolsMirror- Dracula's lack of reflection- crucifix- blood- wolves.
This is the Stoker version.
Jonathon is advised to keep to his own chamber- does D know about his philandering
nature?
Comment on how the vampire brides treat Jonathon- and that the women playing them
are also Mina and Lucy. What does Dracula fob them off with when he rescues
Jonathon?
Scene 10
This is what is known as a composite scene- the three areas are denoted by lighting
effects. As is often the case with Liz Lochhead's work, a song or piece of music links the
action- here it is Renfield's singing.
4
Thurso High School- Advanced Higher
Liz Lochhead's 'Dracula'
Comment on the symbolism of the half finished wedding dress (Mina) and the straitjacket
(Renfield).
What does the fog represent in this scene?
How is Dracula's voyage to England suggested?
Comment on the behaviour of Renfield and Lucy- both showing signs of distress.
Scene 11
Florrie comments on the events of the night before. See her speech on page 104.
Dracula's ship has arrived with all the crew dead and only a black dog, which leapt to
shore. Lucy not only saw the black dog- during the night her period started. The three
women joke about the place of the 'curse' in the lives of women.
Mrs. Manners enters with news of Jonathon- now recovering from his ordeal in a
Budapest convent hospital. Mina packs hurriedly to join him.
What really happened to Lucy in the night?
How much time has elapsed since Jonathon met the brides?
Why did Dracula not kill Jonathon?
Scene 12
Renfield feels neglected. Seward is giving instructions for his medication so he can get
time away to spend with Lucy.
What warning is Renfield giving? What position is he in to make such comments? How
is his madness conveyed here?
Scene 13
This is one of the longer scenes in the play. Set in Heartwood House, the focus of the
action is Lucy, who now appears to be very ill.
Why is Lucy reluctant to:
 Look in mirrors?
 Have light nearby
How can we tell her senses are very heightened?
What does this suggest about her mental state?
What happened to Lucy during her sleepwalking episode?
What comment is Lochhead making about:
 Menstruation
5
Thurso High School- Advanced Higher
Liz Lochhead's 'Dracula'

Women's experience of sex
Why is Lucy so interested in Renfield?
Comment on Lucy's seductive behaviour. Why is Seward so repelled by her?
Who does accept her invitation?
What are we aware of at this point?
6