David Suchet as Dracula, BBC Radio 2006

After listening to three productions of Dracula this week it is surprising how different they are compared with each other. All were enjoyable and each had their faults/ positives; though if you wish to listen to a more faithful telling of Dracula I would suggest the Mark Gatiss version (Big Finish Productions).


David Suchet as Dracula, BBC Radio 2006 (1hr 54mins)

This is a radio adaptation of Liz Lochhead’s stage play and was the last of the Dracula dramatisation I listened to. There’s more focus on the female characters than Bram Stoker’s original tale and the only one to mention menstruation.

Overall it was nice to be given a different approach to the story, but it was far too abridged. Believe the main problem is this is an adaptation of a stage play, so in actual fact an adaptation of an adaptation. Lots of the story has either been changed/absent and where was our young American Quincey Morris.

Lastly the I’ve got to mention the end, Dracula’s demise. The king of vampire’s final moments should be a dramatic climax, but it’s more forgettable fizzle than loud ka-boom.


The other productions I listened to were:
Frederick Jaeger as Dracula, BBC Radio 1994 (3hrs 19mins)
Mark Gatiss as Dracula, Big Finish productions 2016 (3hrs 15mins)

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2 people found this helpful

Amazing

such a great performance from all involved enjoyed every minute of this book and the narration was well balanced between all the actors

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Not very good

Although the performance was stunning, the script was a bitty silly and poor. You have to know very well the original to understand what is happening and love it poorly enough to accept the plot to be so badly rearranged.

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1 person found this helpful

Dracula, it ain't. Skip to what you came for ;)

Radio Drama has to be handled carefully. In lazy hands it sounds like a student film with the visuals stripped.

Unfortunately for us Lockhead is a hack and the writing betrays her desperate need to make Dracula her own. If you are looking for a faithful adaptations, this ain't it, Chief. After so many years of adaptations that may not be a surprise... but this is particularly awful.

The story seems to begin at a time before Johnathan makes his famous trip to Transylvania. All the hurry and gothic majesty is eaten by kitchen sink drama between sisters Mina and Lucy. Yes, sisters! One of many odd changes to the story, we receive more Renfield than anyone would ever need and a beach holiday before the actual action starts.

To quote one of my favourite literary Youtubers "wasn't this story meant to have vampires in it?" It takes a while before we meet Suchet but my gosh if our crime stopping lord and secondary story saviour doesn't make up for it.

Hamming on first entry like he enjoys drinking scenery rather than virgin maids, Suchet just goes for it. Matched with Hiddleston's excellent Harker, a listener finally gets what they were hoping for. Two stage and screen greats enjoying a battle of emotion. Stay in Dracula's beautiful castle. Let Suchet's moments of linguistic charm tingle your senses and let Hiddleston's perfect casting of a gentlemanly Harker entertain you, then press the skip button at your convenience.

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6 people found this helpful

Captivating performance

Very unexpected journey to Dracula's book, very much enjoyed it though! Readers being in their character and living the text was surprising but enjoyable experience. Especially Dracula's and Jonathan's performances were great, definitely recommend this book.

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Beautifully produced and completely unnecesary.

A high-quality production with a brilliant cast that will entertain you in style for a couple of hours. The story adds absolutely nothing interesting to the 'Draculaverse', as it tries half-heartedly to pepper the narrative with not-so-clever references to the naughtier bits in the original story. Good if you don't want to listen to the brilliant Victorian novel that is the original Dracula.

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2 people found this helpful

perfect performance

After all these vampire stories in our screens, books and minds, why should I recommend this one? First of all, it's Dracula! Then, there are David Suchet and sweet sweet Tom Babyhiddles With all the superb cast, music and sound effects. I bought it then listened it at one sitting. it's too intense to stop.

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Too short

I knew this was going to be an abridged version but this is ridiculously short, two measly chapters. Don't waste your credit on buying this. I only got it because of David Suchet and he is barely in it anyway. Utter waste of time.

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Atmospheric read

I wasnt sure if I'd like this as it's an adaption rather than the traditional full book audio. However it's Atmospheric and well paced, the actors are excellent and it retains the flavour of the original. I thought it was a good length too, listened in one sitting.

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5 people found this helpful

Good

I enjoyed the story, although, felt the adaptation to be a little short and wanting. Not for those who have already read the original Bram Stoker masterpiece. Could listen to Tom Hiddleston all day!

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5 people found this helpful