The Araluen Arts Centre is excited to present two electrifying dramas this July, adapted straight from the pages of classic literature.

“We are proud to present Dirty Pretty Theatre’s thrilling adaptation of Thérèse Raquin by Emile Zola, and shake & stir theatre company’s gothic masterpiece, Dracula by Bram Stoker,” Director of the Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees said.

“It’s wonderful to be able to present such high-quality theatre productions to the Alice Springs community and provide opportunities for our audiences to lose themselves in remarkable stories exquisitely staged.”

Over 150 years after it was written, Thérèse Raquin by Emile Zola, is the story of two murderous star-crossed lovers.

Dirty Pretty Theatre are a Green Room Award-winning independent theatre collaborative who have come together with award-winning director Gary Abrahams to tell the story of Thérèse Raquin in a carnal, cruel and corset-filled masterpiece of French realism. 

Dr Crees said this is the first time we have had this remarkable company with us and we look forward to sharing this production with Alice Springs audiences.

“Thérèse Raquin caused quite a controversy when it was first published but is a superb examination of corrupted morals in the notoriously dingy backstreets of Paris in the late 1800s.”

Thérèse is married off to her sickly cousin in an arranged marriage.  She lives a life of melancholy until the arrival of Laurent, her husband’s friend, with whom she begins an illicit affair. Dangerously in love, their selfish passions unite in a hatred for Thérèse’s husband, which eventuates in his cruel and brutal murder at the hands of the damaged lovers.

Alice Springs audiences are also invited to plunge into the darkest recesses of human imagination when Dracula arrives in Alice Springs after swooping through the country.

“shake & stir are a multi-award winning theatre company who are known for their adaptations of classical literature – and Dracula promises to be every bit as tortured and charismatic as Stoker’s 1897 novel,” Dr Crees said.

“Alice Springs audiences will remember shake & stir theatre company for their adaptation of Wuthering Heights in 2016.”

Dracula tells the story of young lawyer Jonathan Harker as he visits Castle Dracula in the Carpathian Mountains. Alone and trapped within the castle walls, Jonathan discovers that his host Dracula wants more than just his presence at the dinner table; he might also be the main course. Leaving Jonathan for dead and his castle behind Dracula travels to London on a quest for seduction, true love and above all blood.

The 2015 premiere season of Dracula was nominated for five Matilda Awards including Best Mainstage Production and received a 5-star review from ArtsHub.

Thérèse Raquin will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Wednesday 5 July at 8pm and Dracula will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Saturday 8 July at 8pm.

Ticket prices to a single show are adults for $49.00, concession for $45.00 and Araluen Arts Centre Members $42.00. Patrons can also purchase a ticket to both shows at a reduced rate of $90.00. Both productions are MA15+

Tickets are available online at www.araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au or from the Araluen Box Office on (08) 8951 1122.

Media interview - Araluen Cultural Precinct Director, Dr Mark Crees 08 8951 1126

Images - Jessica Clarke as the title character in Thérèse Raquin. Image by Sarah Walker.
- Nick Skubij as the title character in Dracula. Image by Dylan Evans.