Review: COUNT DYKULA, Soho Theatre
Photo credit: Cam Harle
When a show is called Count Dykula, you already know you’re in for something gloriously unhinged, and Airlock Theatre absolutely delivers. This is a queer, gothic, totally over-the-top musical comedy that smashes vampire clichés, pokes fun at societal expectations, and somehow squeezes in a power ballad or two; it’s ridiculous, it’s fun, and it’s got more bite than your average night at the theatre.
The setup is delightfully absurd: Count Dykula (Rosanna Suppa) is a butch, no-nonsense vampire who’s living her best undead life – hunting down prey, brooding in her castle, and avoiding anything remotely pink or sparkly. But her world gets turned upside down when Scare University starts pushing its own version of what a vampire should be (hyper-feminine and sexy, in other words). Naturally, Dykula is having none of it, and what follows is part battle for identity, part campy vampire rebellion, and part important parallel to life in the all-too-real world.
The cast is, without question, one of the strongest things about Count Dykula. Suppa as Dykula is an absolute scene-stealer – full of dry wit, killer comic timing, and a voice that can shift from sultry to feral in seconds. She owns every moment she’s on stage, balancing the character’s grumpy cynicism with flashes of real heart. Suppa also plays some minor characters – look out for Goblin who got some big laughs.
The supporting cast is just as strong. Eleanor Colville plays Scarlett Fang, a rival vampire with an ego (and other things) bigger than her bloodlust, and her cat-and-mouse dynamic with Dykula provides some of the best comedic moments of the night. Colville also plays Pug, a gloriously funny monster who takes Dykula under her furry wing. Robbie Taylor Hunt brings a creatively chaotic energy as Zombie, who just wants to perform, and Ghost, who is… well, he's different, that’s for sure.
Musically, Count Dykula has it all, from big, belt-it-out showstoppers to ridiculous comedic numbers, the score is packed with moments that will have you tapping your feet and crying with laughter, and when the show leans into its big, theatrical set pieces, it absolutely delivers.
The costumes by Caitlin Mawhinney really help to set the scene – Dykula’s leather-heavy wardrobe is peak sapphic vampire energy, while the Scare U crowd struts around in something between Twilight extras and Barbie’s Halloween collection. The contrast is played up to perfection. Mawhinney is also the set designer, and there are some lovely moments where the on-stage musician (Meg Narongchai) becomes part of the set – and it’s hilariously acknowledged, which is just another of the many ongoing jokes that don’t get stale.
Lighting (Catja Hamilton) and sound design (Anna Short) also play a big role in keeping the energy up – flashing strobes, dramatic spotlights, and eerie fog all help create a world that feels equally spooky and stupid (in the best possible way).
Count Dykula is exactly the kind of show you want to see at Soho Theatre – loud, messy, full of queer joy, and unapologetically ridiculous. If you love comedy that pushes boundaries, tunes that are absolute bops, and theatre that refuses to sit in a neat little box, Count Dykula is for you. It’s bold, brash, and bloody brilliant.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Lisamarie Lamb
Count Dykula plays at London’s Soho Theatre until 1 March, with further info here.
