Shadows creep along the walls, sending
tingles up and down your spine. The creature comes closer and
closer, its breathing getting louder and louder. It lifts its
arm, and its long, sharp nails are pointed at you. Suddenly,
a woman screams: "Aaaahhhhh!"
Sound like fun?
One Kensington-based theater company thinks so. The minimalist
theater devotees and horror movie aficionados of the Rabbit Hole
Ensemble have adapted the classic silent F.W. Murnau film "Nosferatu"
for the stage. And starting Oct. 28, they want the screams to
resound throughout Park Slope.
One of the original vampire stories in modern history, "Nosferatu"
is the story of the undead vampire, his obsession with the beautiful
Mina Harker and their mysterious connection.
Performances will be held inside the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial
Arch in Grand Army Plaza with six actors playing all the roles.
The Rabbit Hole’s trademark approach means a stripped-down production
with no sets and as few lights as possible. The sound effects
are all created live by the actors, who even transform themselves
into props when needed.
"The approach is that the actors do everything," said
Edward Elefterion, the show’s director. "It’s really something
to see."
And the lack of fancy technology and special effects means the
audience will have nowhere to look but the stage and at
the hypnotically pale, fang-baring, claw-swiping monster (pictured
at left with his victim) that represents the best of the Halloween
fright tradition.
Elefterion assured, "It’s going to be really beautiful."
Rabbit Hole Ensemble presents "Nosferatu" Oct. 28 at
2 and 7 pm, Oct. 29 at 2 and 5 pm, Nov. 4 at 2 and 7 pm, and
Nov. 5 at 2 and 5 pm at the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Arch
in the Grand Army Plaza. Tickets are a suggested donation of
$10. For reservations, call (718) 686-6624 or e-mail reservations@rabbitholeensemble.com.
For more information, visit www.rabbitholeensemble.com.
