Youth theatre bring church back to life with Dracula

The award winning Kayos will be using the Old West Kirk for their performance of Bram Stoker's Victorian classic as part of the spooky line up for Inverclyde's flagship Galoshans Festival.

The theatre company for 15 to 25 years has pulled out all the stops to bring the intimate performance alive with a cast of ten and a band.

Kayos director Kevin Jannetts told the Tele the historic Esplanade building is the perfect setting for the Gothic musical which promises to leave audiences caught up in the drama and suspense.

Dracula cast in Old West Kirk (Image: George Munro)

Kevin said: "The Old West Kirk is a perfect setting for Dracula, an old church, it is so atmospheric and it will set the mood. The lighting will be great. It is a privilege to use such a venue.

"It really adds something to the Galoshans Festival as well. 

"We have quite a short run in to it and so we are busy at rehearsals."

The former Old West Kirk church, which has links dating back to the 16th century, is the oldest Presbyterian parish in Scotland.

It is of huge historical significance and in the 1920 it was moved to the Esplanade brick by brick from its original to  make way for a shipyard.

It is now owned by neighbouring Esplanade Cafe owners Marco Medinelli.

Now the Old West Kirk will be turned into a venue for Dracula the Musical.

Kevin told the Tele they could not put on shows like Dracula without the support of the local vibrant arts community. 

He said: "It costs around £10,000 to put on a musical like Dracula by the time you get it all together.

"But it gives so much back to everyone involved both on stage and behind the scenes."

Kayos secured funding from the Galoshans Festival, the Cultural Collective and Inverclyde Council's community grants scheme.

Throughout the year Kayos, which is run by a board, puts on shows and also takes part in the prestigious National Theatre Connections Festival giving their young people a chance to perform plays.

It is a busy time for Kevin, an actor and director who also runs his own theatre company No Nonsense and works at the Beacon.

He is also busy starring in the Addams Family by the Albany Academy. 

Kayos Theatre Company Presents 'Dracula The Musical' for three days.

The first performance is on Thursday, October 31 and then Friday, November 1 both  7.30pm. They are back on stage on Saturday, November 2, at 2.30pm and then 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced £15 (£13 concession) and are on sale now from by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yxev5vas