Dracula is alive on the Coast
Email Kathleen or Alister kathleen.skene@news.com.au alister.thomson@news.com.au OPERATORS of the Broadbeach entertainment fixture, Dracula’s, say it is not going anywhere despite the sudden shutdown of its Melbourne sister theatre.
Australia’s longest-running theatre restaurant, which has operated in Carlton for 37 years, will close the curtain on December 23.
Dracula’s management made the announcement on social media, prompting an outpouring of support from former staff and customers.
Newman Entertainment managing director Marc Newman said the Gold Coast venture on Hooker Bvd made up 80 per cent of the company’s income and closure of the Melbourne site would allow them to expand here and elsewhere.
He said it would free up resources to create a top-secret “mad new concept” at Surfers Paradise, with an April Fools Day launch date.
The Melbourne theatre employed about 40 staff, with the company’s overall team fluctuating between 150-200 depending on productions.
Mr Newman said the decision to shut down Dracula’s Melbourne had been made quickly in the face of sluggish advance bookings – a “red flag” for any theatrical enterprise.
Managers decided to leave on a high rather than ride the slump to the bottom.
“The fact that we’ve been going 37 years is unbelievable,” Mr Newman said.
“We’ve been feverishly redecorating and coming up with ideas for so long – it wasn’t supposed to last as long as it has.
“The place is still pumping at its best and we’re still selling tickets, but advance bookings have dropped.
“I thought let’s quit while we’re ahead.”
The company is about to launch an interactive installation, Phobia Squared, in Singapore and is working on a travelling circus show, which would take its performers across Australia and New Zealand and through South-East Asia.
Mr Newman said he felt “lost” closing the Melbourne venue which launched the careers of countless performers and made memories for staff and customers across the world.
“I will look at the closing night as a celebration of what it’s been,” he said.
“Most of these things are a flash in the pan but this has been a great adventure.”