Cynthia Erivo is set to mesmerize London's West End once more, taking the stage in a spellbinding production of "Dracula." In this captivating adaptation, helmed by Kip Williams, Erivo will don an astonishing 23 personas in Sydney Theatre Company's rendition of the timeless vampire tale. Williams, who previously envisioned the mesmerizing one-person show "The Picture of Dorian Gray" starring Sarah Snook, now directs Erivo in this haunting spectacle. Scheduled to commence at London's Noël Coward Theatre from February 4, 2026, this marks Erivo's highly anticipated return to the theatrical realm.
Since her triumphant 2015 Broadway revival of "The Color Purple," where she garnered a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy for her stellar performance—following her role in the London staging—this marks Erivo's first foray back onto the stage. "Dracula" will follow the release of "Wicked: For Good" in November and her recent multifaceted role in the season two premiere of "Poker Face," where she portrayed five distinct characters.
In "Dracula," Erivo embodies a myriad of characters, including the solicitor Jonathan Harker and his fiancée Mina Murray, the trusted confidante Lucy Westenra and her suitors, the relentless vampire hunter Van Helsing, and the enigmatic Count Dracula, among a host of others. This production marks the third and arguably the "most ambitious" installment in Williams' gothic trilogy, which encompasses "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde." Sydney Theatre Company first staged "Dracula" in 2024.
Currently enchanting Broadway audiences following its successful West End run, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" employs an innovative blend of video screens, live, and pre-recorded footage, enabling Snook to portray all characters, including scenes opposite herself. Recently, Erivo herself attended a Broadway performance, completely immersing herself in this visual extravaganza.
"Returning to the stage feels like a long-awaited homecoming, a craving finally fulfilled," Erivo enthused. "To embark on a journey with a narrative as rich, intricate, and haunting as 'Dracula' offers an exquisite chance to delve deep into character, myth, and the very essence of humanity. From the instant I was approached, the roles refused to leave my mind. Kip's vision is exhilarating, terrifying, and profoundly resonant, inviting us to confront not just the world's darkness but also the light we fiercely cling to. As an actor, the privilege of embodying so many voices and perspectives within a single piece is rare, and I am deeply honored to do so for West End audiences in this extraordinary production. The prospect of this show fills me with trepidation, and I am acutely aware of the monumental challenge ahead. This show will demand my all—and I am more than ready to give it."
