Magic comes in all forms. Princes, princesses, star-crossed lovers; wizards, fairy tales and dreams coming true.

But what if there is no happy ending? What if the search for love happens under the cover of darkness?

Northern Ballet’s Dracula, currently showing at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, answers those questions.

There is an undeniable magic in its darkness. The talented dancers take us step by step through a story of intense love and heartbreak; each set of choreography contrasting against the former: light as a feather to dark and brooding.

Young love, full of promise and sunlight, moves slowly and gracefully into the shadows – punctuated always by a search for belonging and love that brings the characters’ story to its knees.

This show does not offer an easy experience, pulling the audience into every scene and challenging expectations.

The respected dance company, which this year celebrates 50 years in the business, delivers this classic tale in recognisable form – a brooding Victorian story that has been in circulation since 1897 and continues to be popular to this day.

Well-known characters Jonathan Harker, Lucy Westenra and Van Helsing – along with Dracula’s ultimate conquest and true love Mina Murray – are all in attendance alongside Dracula himself.

The characters are depicted with passion by enormously talented dancers, including Javier Torres as Dracula – whose use of a cape to accentuate the character’s movements is truly extraordinary and, at times, unnerving.

Particular mention must go to Antoinette Brooks-Daw as Lucy and Joseph Taylor as Jack Seward, who perform an astoundingly beautiful section of ballet together in the first Act; and to Kevin Poeung as a patient of Seward’s asylum.

The show is not immune to difficulty: creating special effects – with the cast perhaps so close to a well-lit set – proves problematic in the second act.

And though arguably necessary, dramatic expression can linger on the boundary between affecting and comedic.

But there is no doubt that this is a powerful piece of performance art – not just dance, but all-round theatrical entertainment.

There is no happy ending. But there is plenty to take your breath away. If you want to do Halloween right; this is the show for you.

Dracula is at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday, October 12. Book tickets at marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.

The ballet can also be viewed in cinemas across the county on Thursday, October 31. For tickets, visit cinemalive.com/event/dracula

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