GET OUT YOUR GARLIC FOR DRACULA
HER first experience with vampires was watching Sarah Michelle Gellar on the television screen in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
But now, former University of Southern Queensland student and artistic director of the independent theatre company shake & stir, Nelle Lee is sinking her teeth into a different kind of vampire role.
She’s starring as Mina Harker in the company’s latest production of Dracula, which is being performed in Toowoomba at the Empire Theatre tonight, and has so far enjoyed every minute of it.
“Bram Stoker didn’t
❝ That lust for blood, that sexualisation of mythical ancient creatures. It’s something that’s captivated audiences and viewers for a long time.
— Nelle Lee
invent vampires but he created the identity that we associate with the modern day vampire,” she said.
“That lust for blood, that sexualisation of mythical ancient creatures. It’s something that’s captivated audiences and viewers for a long time.”
That captivation isn’t going anywhere soon.
“People genuinely have an obsession with the undead and these creatures that stalk us to drink our blood and defile our women,” she said.
“There’s just something other worldly that people really find attractive.”
She started shake & stir more than 10 years ago with two others and said she loved working with people who inspired her.
“It’s a dream job,” she said.
“It’s something that the three of us are passionate about - creating engaging relevant theatre that stretches the limits.”