It will be a bloody good time, but you won't actually see any grossness or gore at this weekend's telling of a vampire love triangle story.
Imaginary Beasts theater troupe will perform "Dracula: The Vampire Thriller" in the traditional British pantomime style - and in a family friendly way - at the Topsfield Fairgrounds this weekend.
"We took out all the gore of the story and tweaked it a bit," explained Imaginary Beasts' artistic director Matthew Woods.
Woods said the group decided on the creepy tale because they were looking to do "something a little different than what we've always done" for this, the nonprofit organization's fifth pantomime show.
"I'd been interested in Edward Gorey's material," he said, referring to the American author and illustrator whose pen-and-ink drawings have a gothic sense. "And thought a gothic theme could be fun."
When the idea got passed around to several of the group's members, they all jumped at it.
But how to you make the story of Dracula - traditionally laden with bloody scenes, as well as sexual and religious subtexts - into something the whole family can enjoy?
You improvise, just a little. And pantomime style of theater gives that allowance. It's not what you might think: a mime with white face paint pretending he's locked in an invisible box, or pulling on an imaginary rope.
"The key element of pantomime is that you take a traditional story everyone is familiar with, and turn it upside down," Woods explains. "You add popular music, modern-day references, political references among other things."
And of course, the style requires audience participation.
"It's an old-fashioned form of theater, where you are booing the villains on the 'baddies' and cheering on the 'goodies,'" he said.
And with no blood, there will be just enough scare for all ages.
"It seems children love scary stories and love vampires. You see kids dressed up in vampire guise every Halloween," he said. "There's an element in all of us that likes to be scared a little bit."
Even Dracula himself is a bit childlike. He's got all kinds of problems with his teeth and is afraid of the dentist.
"We tone it down and make it more comical," he said.
The 18 cast members have been rehearsing for several weeks, but the story is constantly changing.
"The whole group is involved in writing the script, we throw so many ideas into the pot," Woods said. The script of the show is then refined, but as rehearsals continue, the story might change direction at any time.
"The script changes daily," Woods said.
If you go
What: "Dracula: The Vampire Thriller," a panto
Where: Coolidge Hall, Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1, Topsfield
When: Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Tickets: $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for children 10 and under. Tuckets may be purchased at the door (cash or checks only), or by calling 978-500-5553.
If you miss this show: They performance will also be held at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main St., Gloucester on Jan. 10-12.
