Dracula's Women

This is a publicity shot from a play that I wrote entitled "Dracula's Women" with input by David Zybert.  This play came about in response to a performance of "Dracula" that I did with Gothic Productions and covers the events that gave Dracula his 3 Brides mentioned in Bram Stoker's novel.  It was produced by Gothic Productions and performed at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, in Thousand Oaks, CA in 1984.  I also co-directed the play.

Costumes and Make-up were done by me.  When we did 'Dracula' where I first portrayed 'Ludmilla', I was appalled when I heard they weren't doing anything for costume and make-up! YIKES!  How could you possibly do a play such as 'Dracula' without costumes and make-up! Charon to the rescue!  David is actually a fair-haired blond man who just wore his hair...there.  After I got done with him, well...let's just say our cast was NOT expecting him to look like he does in this photo!  Scared the bejeezus out the actor playing Renfield as he appeared in the window overlooking Renfield's cell LOL!

Dracula was also portrayed by David Zybert
I am on the left side of the photo - David's right side and I portrayed 'Ludmilla' the First Bride of Dracula and his one true love - in fact, she is the one responsible for turning him into the vampire he became.

Center Front is Ivey Ratafia who portrayed both 'Natalia & Guinevere'.  As Natalia she was Ludmilla's sister.  As Guinevere she is the reincarnation of Ludmilla's sister who was murdered by Dracula's former friend now enemy Baron Antonescu who was in love with Ludmilla.

Right side of photo (David's left side) is Suzanne McNabb who portrayed the 2nd Bride of Dracula, 'Marta', a highly paid and skilled Courtesan

I did a lot of historical research to write the play and give it a hint of realism.  What I would like to now is go back and really tweak changing certain aspects of characters (such as changing Antonescu to Dracula's brother Radu) to bring in even more historical facts to the play...if I ever get the time.

The play, BTW, was a HIT and for all of you out there who may not know this...'Dracula' by Bram Stoker is actually known to be a 'Gothic Romance' NOT a Horror Novel.

Hope you like the photo, make-up and costumes!