A clumsy misstep has allowed 91原创 actor Jamie O鈥橬eill to perfect his character just in time for the opening of tonight鈥檚 production of Dracula.
The 39-year-old 91原创 Meadows father was a little embarrassed at first to admit that he ripped his lower left calf muscle simply leaving rehearsal a few weeks back.
But, he acknowledges now that his injury and subsequent limp has 鈥渁dded more to the creep factor鈥� of his character, Butterworth, in the Royal Canadian Theatre Company鈥檚 rendition of the classic horror.
O鈥橬eill is one of eight cast members starring in this Halloween season鈥檚 frightful theatre production opening in Surrey this week, then relocating to Vancouver followed by Maple Ridge playhouses later in the month.
鈥淚 love Halloween, and I love classic horror,鈥� O鈥橬eill said, confessing his draw to the more traditional horrors 鈥� and vampires shows in particular 鈥� developed since watching the Bram Stoker鈥檚 Dracula movie during the mid-1990s. Then, he got hooked on the British-American television horror series (loosely based on Stoker鈥檚 novel), followed by the more recent, but short-lived, NBC television series bearing the same name.
But the play, O鈥橬eill said, is ironically based on the original Broadway hit developed by Hamilton Deane and John Balderson back in the 1920s, which ultimately led to one of the most popular cinematic remake of the gothic classic starring Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. The irony lies in the fact that the 91原创 actor has never seen the film or play. Now, he doesn鈥檛 want to until the production closes, fearing he鈥檒l be compelled to adapt some of the character trait from the Lugosi movie.
Regardless, it was O鈥橬eill鈥檚 passion for horrors, that in large part motivated him to try out for a dramatic role. It鈥檚 a switch up for him, since he鈥檚 typically participated in musicals, taken on comedic parts, or played love-struck fools.
鈥淭his is my first time doing a melodrama since high school,鈥� he said, admitting he鈥檚 stepping out of his comfort zone.
That aside, hearing that fellow 91原创ite and 鈥渞espected鈥� director Ellie King was intending to bring Dracula to the stage, he was psyched to try.
鈥淭his looked like something I really wanted to be involved in,鈥� he said.
Turns out, he was in England 鈥� introducing his two-year-old son Greyson to all his new but distant relatives 鈥� during auditions back in April. So, he assumed this play just wasn鈥檛 in the cards for him.
But much to his delight, he returned home to learn of a second call for auditions, and knew he had to at least try out.
Trying out for the role of Dracula, was out of the question.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to play Dracula鈥� it鈥檚 just not me,鈥� he said, his 鈥渂igger build鈥� and boisterous personality being much more conducive to playing the supporting characters of Renfield or Butterworth.
So Butterworth, the attendant, it was.
He and the rest of the cast were handed copies of Stoker鈥檚 book, and given the summer to read up before rehearsals started in earnest last month.
鈥淚鈥檝e really grown into the character. I鈥檓 quite enjoying playing him,鈥� O鈥橬eill said, noting how he鈥檚 brought his 鈥渓ower-class鈥� Liverpool accent, English idiosyncrasies, humour, and wit to the role of the caretaker, body guard, and helper of the Victorian madhouse that serves as the backdrop for this thriller.
While there are some interesting twists to the production, including creative addition of steampunk costumes and stage props, and a female version of professor Van Helsing, O鈥橬eill said the play has been kept quite true and authentic to the classic theatre production 鈥� with one exception.
He鈥檚 been given reins to build on humorous interaction between his attendant character of the home鈥檚 maid, Miss Wells. And he鈥檚 been incredible grateful for the chance to add just a hint of his unique English bend to the script.
O鈥橬eill performed in one of King鈥檚 pantomimes five years ago, in her rendition of Alice in Wonderland. He hasn鈥檛 been on the stage since, consumed with family and work responsibilities.
While he was anxious to participate, and describes this as an escape that he鈥檚 undertaken just for himself, he鈥檚 pleased to announce he鈥檚 not the only family member involved in the production. His wife Erin Heard, assisted by her seven-year-old daughter Peyton, have since come aboard, taking charge of makeup for the ghoulish cast.
It鈥檚 becoming a family affair, he said, modelling himself in small part after the show鈥檚 director 鈥� King 鈥� who鈥檚 shared her love of theatre with her husband, sons, and any and all other family members possible through the years.
Counting down the minutes until the curtain goes up on their first showing, O鈥橬eill said he鈥檚 extremely excited about this production 鈥� which is his first ever paid theatrical role.
鈥淚鈥檓 super excited about it,鈥� he shared with the 91原创 Advance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of unbelievable how everything has just meshed together,鈥� O鈥橬eill said, adding that even the recent addition of a limp, however accidental, has brought what he described as the last necessary detail to his character.
鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 really sure what to expect,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 knew Ellie. And I knew with her at the helm I should expect nothing less than 91原创enal鈥� but it鈥檚 even more than that.鈥�
Dracula opens tonight (Thursday, Oct. 8) at Surrey Arts Centre (88th Avenue and King George Highway), and running Oct. 9 and 10 鈥� all three nights at 8 p.m., with an 4 p.m. matinee also added on Oct. 10. Tickets: 604-501-5566 or tickets.surrey.ca.
The show then moves to Metro Theatre, at 1370 Marine Dr. SW in Vancouver, for 8 p.m. shows Oct. 14 to 17, and Oct. 21 to 24, plus a 4 p.m. matinee on Oct. 24. Ticket info: 604-266-7191 or tickets.metrotheatre.com.
The final stop for this travelling horror is Maple Ridge. There are five consecutive dates at The ACT Arts Centre with 8 p.m. shows running every night from Oct. 27 to 31, plus another 4 p.m. matinee on Oct. 31. Ticket info: 604-475-2787 or www.theactmapleridge.org/buy-tickets/.
HOW TO WIN
A lucky 91原创 Advance reader will win a pair of tickets to Dracula, showing in Surrey, Vancouver, and Maple Ridge this month.
How do you win?
鈥� Click on the live link in the story about Dracula at www.langleyadvance.com, and tell us why what your favourite Halloween tradition is. You will be entered into the draw.
Preference will be given to 91原创 residents.
Postings must be received prior to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and the winner will be notified by email and/or phone. No staff or family of the 91原创 Advance or Black Press are eligible. This giveaway is restricted to online participants, 19 years or older only. Must include name and phone number.
