Bringing bite to a world of bytes (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Bringing bite to a world of bytes

HOLD on to your neck - a new version of Dracula, Bram Stoker's Gothic masterpiece, is set to send shivers down the back of Cheltenham audiences next week.

Bram Stoker's novel of terror and intrigue has been given a 21st century twist with the characters facing a thing of legends and myths in a world of e-mail and text messages.

Christopher Cazanove, star of Dynasty and a familiar face on many other films and TV shows, is taking the role of Van Helsing, the man determined to rid the world of Dracula, and Hywel Simons, from The Bill and Little Britain, is playing Dr Seward.

Other TV favourites Laura Howard (John Nettles' daughter Cully Barnaby in Midsomer Murders) and Casualty star Ben Keaton are also starring alongside Gloucestershire's very own rising stars, selected to play children's roles from the local Stagecoach drama school.

Samuel Cooper (aged eight), Elizabeth Yeoman (seven) and Thomas Smith (eight) have been chosen to star in the show and are all looking forward to playing a part in the professional production.

The promoters say: "Expect thrills and chills as the Prince of Darkness returns to walk amongst the living once more in a startling production that uses breathtaking spectacle and stage magic to create a fearsomely theatrical experience."

Dracula is on at The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from April 4 to 9. It is not suitable for under 14s but brave theatregoers can book their tickets on 01242 572573 (www.everymantheatre.org.uk).