On the Dark Side of Twilight (Evolution of the Vampire)

Born a young Englishman of wealth, the feckless Porlock takes a tour of the Continent when he is set upon by a vampire – and subsequently becomes one himself – in what is modern-day Turkey. Assuming the identity of a Romanian nobleman, he re-enters British society and means to feed off the “teeming millions” but is exposed to sunlight and thought destroyed. Surviving and relocating in America, he enlists the...
Born a young Englishman of wealth, the feckless Porlock takes a tour of the Continent when he is set upon by a vampire – and subsequently becomes one himself – in what is modern-day Turkey. Assuming the identity of a Romanian nobleman, he re-enters British society and means to feed off the “teeming millions” but is exposed to sunlight and thought destroyed. Surviving and relocating in America, he enlists the aid from a young man named Eddie and then makes him a fledgling vampire. When they part ways and Eddie tries to make a new life in Alaska, Porlock finds him there and earns the proper death that has eluded him for so long.

Each of the four story arcs is an homage to a pivotal moment in the history of classic vampire literature, and reflect not only the style of writing for the period, but also the uses vampires have had as a metaphor for society's perceived ills and enemies.
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On the Dark Side of Twilight (Evolution of the Vampire)

Recommended by

  • Ky Weeks:
    12 Oct. 2021
    With a continuous storyline crossing centuries, Hansen uses four different points in history to examine the changing nature of vampire lore... or rather, vampire lore is the means through which we see history and its fears and values change. The use of various means of communication in narration, from letters to blogs, is an apt interpretation and expansion of Bram Stoker's storytelling, and the writing succeeds both in capturing the spirit of familiar vampire works, while also having a constant thread of its own brand of spooky fun.

Character Information

  • Narrator/Count Porlock
    Any
    ,
    Male
  • Young Aubrey Porlock
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A callow youth.
  • Aubrey’s Sister
    Any
    ,
    Female
  • Lord Darvell
    Any
  • Xanthe/Lucy
    Any
    ,
    Any
  • Guardian
    Any
  • Jonathan Hartwell
    Any
  • Maria Hartwell
    Any
  • Woman Interviewer
    Any
  • Edwin Collins
    Any
  • Eddie’s Brother
    Any

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Great Lakes Theater
    ,
    2010

Awards

Winner
,
Best Vampire Stage Production
,
Out of the Coffin Podcast
,
2010