Bestselling author, presenter, and lecturer Dacre Stoker was in town Oct. 4 to help kick-off the Bluebarn’s production of “Dracula: The Journal of Bram Stoker.” Stoker is the author of the Dracula sequel, “Dracula the Undead,” and prequel, “Dracul.” If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the great-grandnephew of Dracula author Bram Stoker. Omaha Magazine caught up with Dacre while he was in town.
Omaha Magazine: Although your last name is Stoker, how did you come by your passion for this novel, monster, cultural icon?
Stoker: I grew up enjoying “The Munsters” and “The Adams Family,” but never developed into a fan of real dark horror on TV or film. I read “Dracula” in college and realized how special a story it was, and how it had such an effect on horror and gothic literature, it was really quite daunting when I put into perspective that my great grand uncle wrote it!
Omaha Magazine: Is there a non-Dracula vampire film or novel you particularly like?
Stoker: There are many non-Dracula vampire films and TV shows, my top three are “Midnight Mass,” “30 Days of Night,” “What We Do in the Shadows.” My favorite non-Dracula novel is Stephen Kings original “Salem’s Lot.”
Omaha Magazine: The myth of the vampire terrorized villages. In fact, in 2004, a group of villagers performed vampire ritual on a man named Petre Toma. Why do you think vampirism resonates today, both as an entertainment and as a belief?
Stoker: I am well aware of the case of Petra Toma, a modern-day anti vampire ritual that took place in Marotinul de Sus in south west Romania, I have visited the site. The myth of the vampire dates back hundreds of years, it is a superstition that is derived from unexplained deaths and lack of understanding of germ theory and biological decomposition. However, it still exists today since it is so hard to find definitive proof of what actual happens to our bodies and soul after death.
Omaha Magazine: What is the most surprising thing you have found in your research about Dracula?
Stoker: I have been able to find and study Bram’s Notes for his research and writing of Dracula, the books he used for his research, his personal journal, numerous letters, and interviews. The most surprising was the actual Dracula Typescript that is owned by the Paul Allen Estate, it revealed to me many portions of the story that Bram was forced to cross out, including the first 3 chapters and the climatic ending. I have been able to show all of these deletions in my recent publication: “Dracula Annotated for the 125th Anniversary” by Hellbound Press.
Omaha Magazine: Has there ever been a part of the novel that hasn’t been covered in the movies or theatricals that you wish would be?
Stoker: Yes, I do not recall any play or film showing the brain trephination surgery performed on Renfield by Dr’s Seward and Van Helsing. To me this was an important element of the novel demonstrating the mercy shown to the mental health patient by the Band of Heroes. The Stoker family were very sensitive to the plight of people with mental health problems. Bram’s mother Charlotte gave lectures about the education of the deaf and mute, how to determine is someone is criminally insane. Bram’s eldest brother William Thornley Stoker was the inspiration for Dr Seward, who treated people with both physical and mental health ailments.
“Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker” is playing at Bluebarn Theater now through Oct. 27. Read a short review of the performance here.
