IAN CLARKE Memorial Hall, Dereham

IAN CLARKE

Memorial Hall, Dereham

The temptation for any theatrical company - especially a youth one - is to go for a show everyone knows.

So Dereham Operatic Society's Youth Theatre Company, under the guidance of director Jeanie Woods, deserves huge credit for moving out of the comfort zone to stage a musical with which few people are familiar.

Dracula Spectacula is very different to what the name suggests.

Yes, the blood lover from Transylvania (played very confidently by Jake Champion) is there.

But that's about where the preconceptions stop in this lively, modern and surprisingly humorous production.

The irrepressible Count is a Mummy's boy who loves to dance and sing and among those joining him on the stage during the highly enjoyable two-hour extravaganza are the delightful innkeepers Herr Hans (Lewis Perkins) and Frau Gretel (Hannah Dennis) as well as a lovably naïve schoolteacher (Annie McCourt) - who falls in love with an English professor (Matt Cara).

The young cast rose admirably to the challenge on the opening night.

It was a shame the hall was under half full, although the response was deservedly enthusiastic.

I really hope the message of how

good the show is gets around and the seats for the rest of the week get snapped up.

t The show continues nightly, 7.30pm, until Saturday, April 5. Matinee on Saturday, 2.30pm. Tickets cost £5.50 to £8.50. Box office: 01362 851919.