Bloodlines

by Jan Iszkula

Production Photos

Exec

Writer/Director - Jan Iszkula

Producer - Ben Shackleton-Waller

Special Thanks

Charlotte Patterson

Cast

Dracula - Louis Kent

Carmilla - Morgan Gill

Ren - Morgan Majithia

Hess - Beck Graves

Fez - Robyn Chapman

Find linked the play's social media

Prod

Set Designer - Christopher Leaman

Lighting Designer - Luke Plant

Sound Designer - Ben Lucas

Costume Designers - Ella Hampson & Fin Davis

Stage & Props Manager - Megan Andrews

Fight Coordinator - Amy Vyskocil-Flint

Photographer - Jemima Borrill

Videographer - Ada Demirel

Play Synopsis:

The year is 1916, the Great War rages across Europe. The play follows two vampire hunters, Ren and Hess, as they arrive in Transylvania following a pursuit by the Romanian Army - with intent to destroy Dracula once and for all. Ren leads this charge, whilst Hess, his friend and assistant, seems more apprehensive.

However, the vampires they find are not what they expect. The once mighty and terrifying Dracula seems to have fallen into a bout of depression following decades of inactivity, and his fellow vampire lord Carmilla seems to have left the vampiric way of life to marry a human woman.

As these two parties meet, trickery, plotting and schemes unfold - as each party works to destroy the other. All whilst the threat of the encroaching war looms…

The production and my role:

Bloodlines appeared on the spring line-up as the week 4 ODN show, performing on March 2nd, 2026.

I worked with the exec and cast to create a comical fight scene, something that I've never done before! Most of the fight sequences I've done in the past have been for more serious effect, calling for realism. The aim of the fight sequence for Bloodlines was to be as ridicuous as could be, as this show was a comedy and really played up on absurd scenarios. What added to the humor was after a funny sequence of "pathetic" fight, a final serious punch was delivered to end the sequence. It was a rather collaborative process in creating the sequence, working in a rehearsal room to find the beats and humor in what could happen in this fight. Lots of ideas were shared and we tried to take onboard as many as we could to really play up the foolishness of the fight. I was there to ensure the actors were comfortable in what they were doing, and doing these actions safely, as some involved the use of real weapons. In the end, the sequence was a success and has even been nominated as one of the "Most Iconic Moments in an ODN" this season!

Rehearsal Photos

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