Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Dracula, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, is set to premiere in London’s West End in February 2026. The production will open at the Noël Coward Theatre, with performances commencing on Wednesday 4 February 2026. Producers Michael Cassel and Adam Kenwright have made an announcement confirming that actor and singer Cynthia Erivo will return to the stage for the first time in nearly a decade to lead this one-actor reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel. Tickets will go on sale later in the year, with further information and waitlist access available via the production’s website.
Erivo, who recently received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, will take on the challenge of portraying all twenty-three characters from the original novel, including Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Lucy Westenra, Van Helsing and Count Dracula. This production follows The Picture of Dorian Gray and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as the final entry in Williams’ gothic trilogy. First staged by Sydney Theatre Company in 2024, Dracula employs Williams’ signature ‘cine-theatre’ style, combining live performance with pre-recorded film and video elements to reframe the story through a contemporary lens.
Cynthia Erivo spoke on the significance of her return to the theatre and the role:
Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I’ve been craving for a long time. To do so with a story as rich, complex, and haunting as Dracula offers a beautiful opportunity to delve into character, into myth, and into the heart of what makes us human. From the moment I was asked, I could not get the role out of my mind. Kip’s vision is thrilling, terrifying, and deeply resonant, offering a chance to sit with not only the darkness in the world, but also the light we fight to hold onto. It’s a rare gift for an actor to inhabit so many voices and perspectives in one piece, and I’m honoured to do it for West End audiences in this extraordinary production. The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me — and I’m ready to give it.
Kip Williams, who adapted and directed the production, reflected on his return to the West End and the creative partnership with Erivo:
I am thrilled to be returning to the West End to direct my adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and to collaborate with the extraordinary Cynthia Erivo, as she brings to life the many iconic characters of this much-adored tale. Our production expands upon Stoker’s exploration of the tension between fear and desire, offering a contemporary perspective on the vampire as a monster that lurks not beyond, but within. I am excited to reunite with many of my Dorian Gray collaborators on this project, and it is an immense privilege to have such a singularly gifted artist as Cynthia at the heart of it. I can’t wait to share this piece with London audiences, especially in the West End, a place where Bram spent so much of his creative life.
Michael Cassel highlighted the production’s ambition and artistic calibre:
It is an incredible privilege to bring Kip Williams’ visionary production of Dracula to the West End, led by the incomparable Cynthia Erivo. Cynthia is an artist of extraordinary power and presence, and Kip’s bold approach to this iconic story will offer audiences something truly unforgettable. I am so excited for London audiences to experience the thrilling synergy between Cynthia’s extraordinary flair and Kip’s ground-breaking storytelling. This production represents everything we love about theatre: daring artistry, breathtaking performance, and a deep connection with audiences.
Adam Kenwright added:
The West End has long been home to some of the world’s most exhilarating storytelling, and I am so proud to help bring Dracula and this remarkable team to London. Cynthia Erivo is a once-in-a-generation talent, and Kip Williams has reimagined this classic story with innovation and emotional depth. Cynthia’s return to the stage is a theatrical event in itself, and this unflinching, beautiful production promises an unparalleled experience for theatre lovers.
Furthermore, Anne Dunn, Executive Director and Co-CEO of Sydney Theatre Company, commented on the international reach of the production:
Sydney Theatre Company is thrilled, as originating producer of former Artistic Director Kip Williams’ groundbreaking cine-theatre adaptation of Dracula, to collaborate with Michael Cassel Group once again to take this STC production to the West End. We are immensely proud that the innovative work of our team here in Sydney – who first brought Dracula to life starring Zahra Newman in 2024 and before that, The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Eryn Jean Norvill in 2020 – is being recognised on the world stage. With the incredible Cynthia Erivo at the helm, the exquisite work of STC’s award-winning, all-Australian creative team and led by Kip’s singular, ambitious vision, this spectacular interpretation of Bram Stoker’s gothic classic will be another unmissable theatrical experience for London audiences.
Dracula features an Australian creative team including designer Marg Horwell, lighting designer Nick Schlieper, composer Clemence Williams, sound designer Jessica Dunn, video designer Craig Wilkinson and dramaturg Zahra Newman.
