Strange Cargo - The Doom of The Demeter

by Timothy Griffin

FULL LENGTH - The first play in Timothy Griffin's DRACULA Cycle. Based on Chapter Seven of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, this gothic horror high seas adventure tells the shocking events aboard the cargo ship transporting Count Dracula’s belongings from Transylvania to England. Suspicion, paranoia, and madness infect the crew as the harried sailors disappear one by one. Full of creeping mystery, vibrant language, rich...

FULL LENGTH - The first play in Timothy Griffin's DRACULA Cycle. Based on Chapter Seven of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, this gothic horror high seas adventure tells the shocking events aboard the cargo ship transporting Count Dracula’s belongings from Transylvania to England. Suspicion, paranoia, and madness infect the crew as the harried sailors disappear one by one. Full of creeping mystery, vibrant language, rich characters, sinister vanishings, violent sea storms, swashbuckling action, monstrous puppetry, and, of course, a boatload of terrors, this is the Dracula tale you’ve never seen.

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Strange Cargo - The Doom of The Demeter

Character Information

For a cast of ten.

While all the characters are men, some roles could be played by women or non-binary actors presenting as men.
  • Captain Gorodetsky
    The patriarch of the ship, strong, willful, good-hearted, and a devoutly religious man. Slow to anger, but quick to act. He views his crew as sons or brothers.
    40s - 60s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Chief (First Mate) Cezar Basarab
    Highly competent, affable with the crew, but definitely a leader. He goes progressively mad through the play, as a result of both the presence of Dracula onboard and his own dark secret.
    30s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Second Mate Post
    Childhood friend of the Captain, he is huge, strong, loyal, and dedicated to the Captain and the crew. He is a gentle giant, but no one to mess with.
    40s - 60s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mister Bucatar
    Crusty and wry, he speaks his mind as he likes. He is a lifelong sailor and a serviceable cook.
    50s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • Mister Petrofsky
    A lusty young man who loves the sea, is always up for a fight, a laugh, a wench, a drink, or a card game. He is something of a jackass, but fiercely protective of his crew.
    20s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mister Olgaren
    Brave and stalwart, highly intelligent (but not stuffy), a genius with weather and navigation. Well on his way to a bright future as a Chief Mate, and, ultimately, Captain of his own ship.
    30s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Mister Abramoff
    A world-wandering mercenary and cool as the other side of the pillow, he is completely lethal and an expert with any weapon. An absolute badass, but not a jerk about it.
    40s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mister Gusa
    A happy, acrobatic, beautiful young man, a natural born sailor, he loves his work. He exudes warmth and joy and is well-liked by the crew. He is closest with Basarab, with whom he shares a dark secret.
    20
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Mister Munir
    A young, novice sailor, he is somewhat nervous and jumpy, a bit of a complainer, but eager to be useful.
    17
    Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian -- Turkish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Yorga
    Servant of Dracula, a cranky yet charming old man.
    Ancient
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Workshop, City Lit Theater Company, Chicago, IL, 2024
  • Reading, Blues Wind Entertainment, 2020

Production History

  • Professional, City Lit Theater Company, Chicago, IL, 2025

Awards

  • Best Sound Design - Joe Griffin
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards (Non-Equity)
    Winner
    2025
  • Best Artistic Specialization - Puppet Design - Jeremiah Barr
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards (Non-Equity)
    Finalist
    2025
  • Best Projection Design - DJ Douglass
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards (Non-Equity)
    Finalist
    2025
  • Best Scenic Design - Ruby Lowe
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards (Non-Equity)
    Finalist
    2025
  • Best Ensemble
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards (Non-Equity)
    Finalist
    2025
  • Jeff Recommended
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards (Non-Equity)
    2025