Development History
In 2024, The Vampire was performed in an AEA showcase in New York City, garnering a strong industry response. Later, the songs were performed in a recital. We wanted to fully stage the show for six weeks Off-Broadway at St. Clement’s Church, two blocks from Times Square. The venue is perfect from the outside, and the stage and dressing areas are sufficient and suitable. However, there are only double doors for loading the set, which might encourage construction built for touring. We ran a budget projection and it was upwards of $350,000 at the time. The drawback is the seating capacity of 187.
A London-based producer is reviewing the musical for a potential regional UK or West End launch. We are also considering the possibility of Off-Broadway or regional theatre productions in the United States. We are looking for a producing partner who can bring this exciting new musical to life in a first-class production. Additionally, the play’s academic pedigree and contemporary music-theatre credentials have effectively positioned it for success in the competitive theatre market. The ruined castle is a character in itself, with a haunted clocktower and grand ballroom portraits that come to life. The final crypt scene shows the Vampire (Alan Raby aka Gervase Rookwood) taken into the depths by his victims. Below, you will find the list of characters and voices, the casting sheet and the program from the NY production.
Character breakdown (roles, description, required voice type)
Actor #1: Sir Alan Raby (Acts I, II & III)– The Vampire.
Type: Male, late 20s to late 30s.
Songs: “Death I do Defy Thee” (Act I), “Rookwood” (Act II), “Alice , You Are Mine” (Act II) “Eternal Curse” (Act III). Description: Haunting presence. Same age in each act although they are 100 years apart. Murdered his brothers Ralph and Owen Raby. Appears in a vaulted opening dressed in Puritan garb (line 249). Has an “unnatural pallor.” AKA Gervase Rookwood.
Voice: Baritone?
Actor #2: Lord Arthur Clavering (Act I). Also Roland Peveryl in a painting that comes to life (Act II). Also Charles Peveril (Act III).
Type: Male, early 30s.
Songs: “Raby Castle” (Act I) as Arthur, “The Weary Time Has Fled” (Act II) as Roland, “No More Backgammon and Toddy” (Act III) as Charles, “Charles and Ada” (Act III) as Charles.
Description: Character actor who can go from an aristocrat in Act I as Arthur to a romantic lead in Act II as Charles. Traveling with Lucy “as gay as ever in spite of his ten years of exile.” Carries a torch to lead the way into the turret chamber. Tells the legend of the vampire. (Act I) He is Roland Peveryl in one of the paintings that comes to life (Act II). As Charles Peveril, he is in love with Ada and wants to rescue her (Act III).
Voice: Pop-rock?
Actor #3: Watkyn Rhys (Act I). Also Watty Rhys (Act II). Also Walter Rees, Attorney at Law (Act III).
Type: Male 30s-40s.
Songs: “Pub Song” (Act I), “No More Backgammon and Toddy” (Act III), “Letter to Cromwell” (Act III)
Description: A Royalist, glad to see the crown restored. Never tasted a drop of stuff that paid duty to the barbarous, murdering Cromwell. Brews his own liquor in the peaks of Snowdon. Discovered a coffer of manuscripts and deeds related to Peveril’s property in an old oak chamber nailed up and condemned two hundred years ago. Fumbles with his spectacles a lot (Act III). He knows what’s going on: WATKYN advances behind ALAN RABY, takes his cloak and sword, catches a glimpse of his face and staggers horrorstruck against MUSGRAVE (line 275).
Voice: Baritone?
Actor #4: Sir Guy Musgrave (Act I). Also Trevanian (Act II). Also Postman (Act III)
Type: Male, late 30s-40s, comic.
Songs: “Raby Castle” “A Hero’s Retreat” (Act I), Chorus.
Description: Traveling with Lucy. Cowardly, “I was not in time for the battle, but I joined in the retreat.” Aware of the danger at the castle, “(aside) It would be like sleeping in a stable full of nightmares.” Jumps when Arthur slaps him on the shoulder at the castle. “Poetical indeed. But I never did like poetry.” MAUD: Come, Sir Guy, look cheerful. Your nose is lengthening visibly and paling at the tip, besides your wig is getting out of curl. MUS: Yes. I caught an abominable bat in it. I dare say the creature mistook it for a tree, and I could not get him over the idea.” “(Aside) I can’t get drunk. I don’t know why—but I can’t.”
Voice: Tenor?
Actor #5: Foulke Nevil of Greystock (Act I). Edgar Peveril (Act II).
Type: Male 20s-30s,
Songs: “Raby Castle” (Act I) with Chorus, “Edgar’s Song” (Act II)
Description: Traveling with Lucy as Foulke. He remembers that Ralph and Owen Raby “fought well” beside him (Act I). As Edgar, Lady Peveril’s son, he shows up with Rookwood. Brings The Vampire into the family gathering (Act II).
Voice: Baritone? (Edgar’s Song is sung by Lincoln Oxford-Pickerall in Clint’s recording.)
Actor #6: Griffiths, (Act I), Also Owen Raby, together with his brother Ralph in one of the portraits that comes to life (Act II)
Type: Male 30s-40s
Songs: “Pub Song” (Act I), “The Weary Time Has Fled” (Act II), Chorus
Description: The Innkeeper (Act I). Plays Owen in one of the paintings that comes to life (Act II)
Voice: Baritone?
Actor #7: Ralph ap Gwynne (Act I), Ralph Raby together with his brother Owen in one of the portraits that comes to life (Act II)
Type: Male 30s -40s
Songs: Chorus “Pub Song” (Act I), “The Weary Time Has Fled” (Act II) along with other ancestors.
Description: Traveling with Lucy. Few lines. At the castle he says, “Come to supper, Lady Ellen, allow me” (Act I). Comes to life in a portrait with his brother Owen (Act II)
Voice: Baritone?
Actor #8: Lucy Peveryl
Type: Female, 20s
Songs: “Wantonness of Fear” (Act I), “The Weary Time Has Fled” (Act II), “The Hour Has Come” (Act III).
Description: A lady. She’s traveling with a party of cavaliers and ladies riding to their newly recovered estates. She is headed to the ruins of Raby Castle to meet her beloved Roland on the night of the 15th of August. “Pardon me—a presentiment of evil weighs upon my heart. Hark! How the storm rages. The mountain road is full of peril. “ Vampire victim in Act I. Her portrait comes to life in Act II.
Voice: Alto? Pop-rock?
Actor #9: Lady Ellen Clavering (Act I) Lady Peveril (Act II)
Type: Female 40s
Songs: “Alan Raby Lives” (Act II)
Description: Traveling with Lucy. Sister of Arthur. Asks why they should not pass the night in the village. Has been with Nevil to explore the vaults and cloisters (Act I). Edgar’s mother (Act II)
Voice: Soprano?
Actor #10: Maud Nevil of Greystock (Act I), Augusta Nevil (Act II), Mrs. Raby (Act III)
Type: Female 30s
Songs: “Alan Raby Lives” (Act II).
Description: Traveling with Lucy. Naively says “this history will give a thrilling interest to the spot” and “We will pass a night of romance. Now if it were only haunted, how delightful that would be.” Cousin of Edgar (Act II). Wife of The Vampire (Act III)
Voice: Soprano?
Actor #11: Alice Peveril (Act II), Ada (Act III)
Type: Female 20s
Songs: “Alan Raby Lives” (Act II), “Alice You Are Mine” (Act II), “Charles and Ada” (Act III), Ada’s Lament: (Act III.
Description: She could be one of the Villagers in Act I as Mercy Gaveston (Girl) who responds to Griffith’s question about a traveler. Under the spell of The Vampire in Acts II & III as different characters: Vampire victim as Alice (Act II), then as Ada (Act III)
Voice: Alto? Pop rock?
Others:
Male and female servants (could be actors without lines in Act II and Act III). Act I has the pub scene with everyone and then a group goes to Raby Castle.
Chorus songs:
Act I
Pub Song (40) (Sung by WATKYN, GRIFFITH and CHORUS)
Raby Castle (140) (Sung by ARTHUR, MUSGRAVE and CHORUS)
Wantonness of Fear (175) (Sung by female CHORUS LEADER and CHORUS)
Death, I Do Defy Thee (410) (Sung by female CHORUS LEADER, CHORUS and RABY)
Act II
Edgar’s Song (92) (Sung by EDGAR with CHORUS)
Alan Raby Lives (205) (Sung by ALICE, AUGUSTA and LADY PEVERIL)
The Weary Time Has Fled (Sung by LUCY, CHORUS and collective ancestors)
Act III
No More Backgammon and Toddy (75) (Sung by CHARLES, REES and Chorus)
Letter to Cromwell (270) (Sung by Chorus and REES)
Solo songs:
Rookwood (231) (I Am The Vampire) (Sung by RABY) Act II
Ada’s Lament (355) (Sung by ADA) Act III
Duets:
Alice, You Are Mine (320) (Sung by ALICE and RABY) Act II
Charles and Ada (184) (Sung by CHARLES and ADA) Act III
