Projects
The Dracula Musical Concept Album
The concept album of the musical, Dracula, was our first commercial recording project as Sang De Vie Productions Ltd. The musical is by Gareth Evans and Christopher J. Orton, with orchestrations by the noted British composer and producer, Ian Lynn. This collaborative work accurately represents the dark Victorian world of Stoker's novel whilst making a direct connection between the fictional vampire and historic figure, Vlad Tepes - Dracula. The work has been deliberately written with due consideration to the period and intention of the original 1897 novel.
The musical "Dracula" has taken over six years to reach the present stage of development. Christopher J. Orton and Gareth Evans began working together on the project in 2004, when Christopher began setting the libretto to his original music and to create the score for the work. It had always been the intention of the writers to record part of their musical. To, ideally, create a concept album of the work; rather than to follow the often tried route of workshops, showcases and competitions.
Unlike many other similarly themed musicals, that are only broadly based upon Bram Stoker’s title character, this new work by Evans and Orton actually incorporates the central plot and the most important episodes from Bram Stoker’s novel. In our opinion, this is one of the important differences that sets this work apart from other attempts to adapt the story as a musical theatre piece. This fact also contributed to our decision to invest in this work and to professionally produce the concept CD of the musical.
The recording process began in January 2006 after the noted composer, arranger and musical director, Ian Lynn, agreed to orchestrate the work. Stephanie Evans Associates was then consulted regarding the vocal casting for the album and its director became the project’s official musical coordinator / vocal supervisor.
The Dracula musical album cast at work in the recording studio
The seventy minute album of seventeen orchestrated tracks was completed by September and features the leading West End musical theatre performer, Michael McCarthy, singing the title role.
Dracula Musical CD Review from WHATS ON STAGE - The UK Theatre Magazine : "Evita started as a concept album. Why not Dracula? This 70 minute CD has already gathered a battalion of fans (or should they be fangs?). It's a powerful new Gothic musical that remains faithful to the original novel and has enough dramatic bite to keep you listening well beyond moonrise. With music by Christopher J. Orton and Lyrics by Gareth Evans, the songs deliver just the right measure of dramatic passion to get the blood pumping. And when you've got one hell of a vocalist like Les Miserables stalwart Michael McCarthy hitting all the right notes in the title role, something really does begin to quiver on the side of the neck. First the concept. Then the concert? Next, the West End?"
Dracula album track is played on national radio: "Those Dreams of Long Ago" (with vocals by Stephanie Benavente) received its first national radio broadcast on December 3rd. This was on the Elaine Paige show (BBC Radio 2). Many thanks to Elaine Paige for playing the track from the Dracula concept album.
From a Dress Circle Article about the album launch: September saw the launch of the latest Gothic Musical album, DRACULA, at Dress Circle. With music by Christopher J Orton, Book and Lyrics by Gareth Evans and orchestrations by Ian Lynn, the CD is a concept recording which will eventually result in a concert performance followed by a theatrical production. The recording has a superb cast headed by Michael McCarthy as Dracula and Stephanie Benavente as Mina Murray / Harker. Also included is the ever talented John Barr as R.M. Renfield and Alison Guill as Lucy.
The album was launched at Dress Circle in London’s West End and soon became a best seller. The album continues to sell very well through outlets in the UK, USA, Europe and via the internet. A further album of the complete Dracula musical is planned and that process will begin during 2007. There will be stage presentations of the musical during the next two years.
Next Project Stage & New Projects
Continuation of the Dracula Project 2008
The next creative music project, in which we are already involved, will be another collaborative piece. It is an original story based upon the central character from another 19th century work. This project has now been rewritten as a screenplay. More details of this new work will be announced before the end of 2009.
The next stage of the Dracula Musical has already begun.
In November, 2007, we produced a promotional video of the number, "Within My World" from the Dracula musical by Evans, Orton and Lynn. The professionally directed video was released on the internet in December to great acclaim and, within the first three months of 2008, had received over 10,000 views on various video networking sites across the world-wide webs.
Further development of the Dracula Musical in 2008
This year is another busy time for the project. A major rewrite of the script has been undertaken. New scenes and songs have been created and others have been cut. We are in the process of producing another short film and a background documentary for the work.
* However, our most exciting current news is that there will be a London based presentation of the project in October. This will be an investors and supporters showcase. There are more details of this event on the official Dracula Musical Website and on the Dracula Musical MySpace profile page.
