Die Laughing: the history-making play that bites the comedy jugular

A North East comedy will make history when it becomes the first-ever play to be performed at the Whitby Goth Weekend.

But North East theatre-goers will be able to see the show first when it’s performed at the Westovian Theatre in South Shields on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 April.

Dracula: Die Laughing will be part of the annual Goth festival that has been running since 1994 and attracts upwards of 12,000 people of all ages from all over the world.

The play, written by Ed Waugh (co-writer of hit comedies Dirty Dusting, Waiting for Gateaux, A funny Thing Happened on the Way To Durham and Sunday for Sammy sketches), is a spoof about Dracula being pursued by vampire hunters and hiding out at the Whitby Goth Weekend.

The show played small venues in a pre-run last autumn, attracting sell-out audiences in Durham, Sunderland and North Shields.

Producer and director Gareth Hunter of Ion Productions said: “Anyone looking for a good laugh shouldn’t miss this show. It’s hilarious; Dracula like you’ve never seen him.

“We are delighted to have been invited to the Whitby Goth Weekend as an official part of the prestigious event.”

The cast includes South Shields-based Paul Dunn and Craig Richardson and Sunderland-based Corinne Kilvington and Lauren Waine.

• Prior to the Whitby run on April 26 and 27 at the Coliseum Theatre, Dracula: Die Laughing will be performed at the Westovian Theatre in South Shields (opposite the Haven Point sports centre) on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 April at 7.30pm.
• Tickets for the South Shields show cost £8 and can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre in Haven Point (Ocean Road) or via 07751246176.