Cynthia Erivo Receives Standing Ovation in Spellbinding One-Woman Show ‘Dracula’
Cynthia Erivo received a standing ovation at the first preview of her highly anticipated one-woman show, Dracula, on February 7. The performance marks a triumphant return to the London stage for the Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner, who takes on an incredible 23 roles in this solo adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. The production, originally created for the Sydney Theatre Company, has finally made its way to the West End at the Noël Coward Theatre.
Visionary director and adaptor Kip Williams is the creative force behind this production, which utilizes his signature “cine-theatre” style. This innovative approach blends live performance with real-time video, pre-recorded film, and multiple moving screens to create a haunting, high-tech world.
Erivo portrays everyone from the innocent Jonathan Harker and the brave Mina Murray to the formidable Van Helsing and, of course, the infamous Count himself.
Cynthia Erivo received a standing ovation at the first preview of her one-woman show ‘Dracula.’
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 7, 2026
She performs all of 23 roles.pic.twitter.com/v7gt0Fe39s
Returning to the stage has been a significant milestone for Erivo, who has spent much of the last few years in front of movie cameras. Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I’ve been craving for a long time, she said regarding her decision to lead the production.
She admitted that the technical and physical demands of playing nearly two dozen characters was a daunting prospect. The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me—and I’m ready to give it, she added.
The journey to the first preview was not without its hurdles, as the production had to cancel its initial three performances to address complex technical issues. These extra days allowed the crew and Erivo to fine-tune the intricate synchronization required for the show’s 26 cameras and live operators. Now that previews have officially begun, the production is set for its grand opening night on Tuesday, February 17, and will continue its strictly limited run through May 30.
Cynthia Erivo has been experiencing a massive career peak lately, having recently dominated the global box office in the Wicked film franchise. Following the record-breaking success of Wicked: Part One in 2024, she reprised her role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, which hit theaters in November 2025. Her performance earned her a historic second consecutive Golden Globe nomination for the same role, making her the first Black woman to achieve that feat in the musical or comedy category.
Beyond her stage and musical successes, Erivo has several high-profile screen projects in the works for late 2026 and 2027. She recently wrapped production on the film adaptation of the stage play Prima Facie, where she stars as a defense attorney whose life is upended by a s**** assault.
She is also set to star in the epic fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone, alongside a massive ensemble cast that includes Viola Davis and Idris Elba. Additionally, fans can look forward to her voice work in the upcoming animated film Bad Fairies.
Do you think Cynthia Erivo’s “cine-theatre” take on Dracula is the future of storytelling on the stage, or do you prefer traditional, non-digital theater performances? Share your thoughts in the comments.
