When The Fearless Vampire Killers, the flamboyantly funny parody of the classic horror movie genre, directed by Roman Polanski and written by Gérard Brach and Roman Polanski, first hit the movie theaters in 1967, it became an instant cult success. Thirty years later, Polanski’s highly amusing take on the now so immensely popular vampire theme had lost nothing of its spooky appeal, so the idea was born in Vienna to create a musical version–with none other than Polanski himself directing the world premiere.
For this exceptional project, Roman Polanski was joined by some other creative legends in their own right: Germany’s foremost lyricist, author and librettist Michael Kunze wrote the book and world renowned rock composer and producer Jim Steinman, who created one of the best-selling albums in the history of recorded music with Bat out of Hell, agreed to write the music.
By masterfully combining these state-of-the-art ingredients, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES turned out to be a success more than worthy of its fabled movie predecessor. Gothic horror combines with slapstick, drama, comedy, romance and a hefty dose of Rock ’n’ Roll ballads to make a hugely entertaining spectacle. Why is there so much garlic in the local inn’s taproom? Why does the innkeeper lock his beautiful daughter in her room at night? And who will win her love–the scarily seductive Count von Krolock, the powerful leader of the vampire pack, or his unequal opponent, the endearingly shy and anxious Alfred, assistant to the eccentric scientist and vampire hunter Professor Abronsius.
Stunning sets and ingenious video projections allow the audience to follow the chase into the snow-swept mountains of Transylvania and Count von Krolock’s creepy castle with its dusty library, spooky crypt and the sumptuous mirrored ballroom where–strangely–not everyone can see their own reflection. The show’s perfect blend of stirring rock ballads, offbeat comedy, dazzling choreography and lavish set design rapidly achieved cult status and is frenetically acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. A cult classic far ahead of its time, anticipating the now ubiquitous vampire boom in popular culture (Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc.) by many years, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES has its finger right on the audience’s pulse–or rather, their vein. Let the dance begin!
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DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES 2010
Inhalt Vom Kultfilm zum Kultmusical
Zusammen mit seinem schüchternen Assistenten Alfred macht sich der namhafte Vampirforscher Professor Abronsius aus Königsberg auf die Reise in das ferne Transsylvanien. Das Ziel des ungleichen Paares ist es, die Vampire, die hier der Sage nach in einem geheimnisvollen Schloss wohnen soll, zu finden - und zu töten. In einem heruntergekommenen Gasthaus, das dem wenig Vertrauen erweckenden Chagall und seiner Frau Rebecca gehört, finden sie Unterkunft in der eiskalten Nacht.
Der etwas unbeholfene Alfred verliebt sich Hals über Kopf in Sarah, die wunderschöne Wirtstochter. In der Schenke stoßen Professor Abronsius und sein Assistent auf Unmengen von Knoblauch und bald auch schon auf untrügerischen Bisswunden – ein sicheres Zeichen für die Existenz von Vampiren. Und in der Tat gibt es einen Verantwortlichen für die zahlreichen mysteriösen Vorkommnisse im Dorf: den mächtigen Vampirgrafen von Krolock. Auch er hat ein Auge auf Sarah geworfen, die sich von seinem Charme betören lässt und seiner Einladung ins Schloss folgt. Alfred und der Professor, alarmiert durch ihr plötzliches Verschwinden, machen sich auf die Suche nach dem Mädchen und dem Geheimnis der Vampire.
Graf Krolock, eine wahrlich Ehrfurcht gebietende Erscheinung und sein Diener Koukol empfangen das als Fledermausforscher und Touristen getarnte Paar aufs Herzlichste. Ebenfalls recht erfreut über den unerwarteten Besuch: Herbert, der Sohn des Grafen, der sofort an Alfred Gefallen findet. Die beiden werden zur Übernachtung im Schloss aufgenommen.
In den nun folgenden 24 Stunden überschlagen sich die Ereignisse, allerdings zu Gunsten der dunklen Kreaturen. Eine Serie von erfolglosen Annäherungs- und Vampirtötungsversuchen findet ihren Höhepunkt auf dem Mitternachtsball im Schloss.
Der Herr des Schlosses, ruft seine Untergebenen zusammen: Die Vampire steigen in einer beeindruckenden Szene aus ihren Gräbern, um sich zum großen Fest zu versammeln. Graf Krolock bittet Sarah zum Tanz, er hat das Ziel seiner Begierde endlich im Arm – und Sarah ist wie benommen von seiner dämonischen Ausstrahlung. Doch es gelingt Alfred und dem Professor den Untoten ihre reizende Beute, Sarah zu rauben. Sie scheinen dem Abenteuer mit heiler Haut zu entkommen.
Aber es steht noch eine überraschende Wendung der Dinge bevor…
Denn so wie die Vampire selbst, stirbt auch die Legende nicht.
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