NEWS - CYNTHIA ERIVO RETURNS TO THE WEST END IN DRACULA
- Sarah Monaghan
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Brace yourselves, theatre fans – Cynthia Erivo is coming back to the West End, and this time, she’s not just playing one role… she’s playing twenty-three. The Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning superstar is set to lead a radical solo adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, opening at the Noël Coward Theatre on 4 February 2026.
Directed by visionary theatre-maker Kip Williams, the production will run until 31 May 2026, fusing gothic horror with cutting-edge technology in what promises to be one of the most talked-about productions of the year.
📲 Visit the official site here: draculatheplay.com
One Woman. Twenty-Three Characters. Endless Thrills.
In this daring reimagining of Dracula, Cynthia Erivo will take on the challenge of playing all 23 characters in the iconic tale – from the innocent Jonathan Harker and the steadfast Mina Murray to the bold Van Helsing and the mysterious Count Dracula himself.
This isn't your typical period horror. Williams’ production is a thrilling blend of live video, pre-recorded footage, and electrifying stagecraft, building on the success of his earlier work, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which starred Sarah Snook and is currently dazzling Broadway audiences.
A Gothic Mastermind Returns
Dracula is the final instalment in Williams’ gothic “cine-theatre” trilogy, following Dorian Gray and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, both of which originated at the Sydney Theatre Company. With a creative team including designer Marg Horwell, lighting designer Nick Schlieper, sound designer Jessica Dunn, and composer Clemence Williams, the stage is set for an eerie and exhilarating experience.
The production will feature one hauntingly original song, sung by Erivo near the end of the performance – a moment sure to send shivers down the spine.
Cynthia’s West End Homecoming
Erivo, who rose to fame with her breakout role in The Color Purple, hasn’t graced the West End stage in over a decade. Since then, she’s taken Hollywood by storm and will soon appear as Elphaba in Wicked: Part Two – For Good. Now, she returns to her theatrical roots in a role that demands everything from voice to presence to sheer emotional stamina.
Speaking about the role, Erivo said:
“The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me — and I’m ready to give it.”
A Story of Shadows and Self
Williams’ Dracula digs deeper than just blood and fangs. He explains:
“Our production expands upon Stoker’s exploration of the tension between fear and desire, offering a contemporary perspective on the vampire as a monster that lurks not beyond, but within.”
The story unfolds in a ruined castle in a remote wilderness, but the terror soon spreads to London – and to the hearts of its unsuspecting residents.
When and Where to See Dracula
📍 Venue: Noël Coward Theatre, London
📅 Dates: 4 February – 31 May 2026
🎟 Tickets: On sale later in 2025
Final Bite
Cynthia Erivo’s Dracula is shaping up to be a genre-defying theatrical event that merges horror, technology, and powerhouse performance in one unmissable show. If you thought you knew Dracula, think again.
One woman. Twenty-three characters. Infinite chills