The severed heads and bloodsoaked fingers and fangs in this modern-day Dracula gave the audience a laugh but made the character comic, not fiendish.

This ultra-modern adaptation by Bryony Lavery is far removed from the original horror story, despite the abundance of coffins, crucifixes and distressed damsels.

It mocks the genre by creating a camp Dracula and feeding him gags and ironic asides. At one point he confides: "I am on Atkins. Carbs are more tempting than the throat of a virgin."

The brilliantly original stagecraft gives sinister undertones to this production. Giant internet screens show Google searches and email correspondence, introducing the surveillance theme. CCTV footage, texts and snaps taken from mobile phones add to the Big Brother feel.

Dracula (Richard Bremmer, the voice of Lord Voldermort in the Harry Potter films) breaks the traditional mould. Beneath the ludicrous cape, fangs and pasty complexion he is razor sharp and has adapted to the modern world by brushing up his IT skills. He mind-reads by intercepting mail and brings his victims under his control through his mastery of modern machines.

The characters scoff at the idea Dracula could actually exist. They reject the supernatural but put complete faith in technology and are horrified when they discover it has betrayed them.

"Gulp!" says Jonathan Harker in mock terror as he pulls up outside the Transylvanian mansion.

But before long he is running for his life in his Y-fronts. Stripped of his precious laptop and mobile, he records what is happening in his own blood. Meanwhile his sophisticated sweetheart, Mina, dismisses her vampire fears as "stupid comic-book thoughts".

Van Helsing, played by former Dr Who star Colin Baker, is the eccentric academic who understands what is going on and helps good triumph over evil.

He comes up with the wacky suggestion that garlic, crucifixes and faith might fend off evil spirits. But the only problem is, as one character observes, who has faith these days?

This show doesn't exactly keep you on the edge of your seat but interesting themes and strong performances from all the cast make it enjoyable and thoughtprovoking.

It is intriguing to see how imaginative use of the set and minimal props set a fast pace, creating the feel of a commuter train, a boat, an aeroplane, a graveyard, a lunatic asylum, a graveyard and a gothic mansion. The gory special effects and magical vanishings are also inspired.

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