As a bit of a theatre buff, I was so excited to see the first look at Cynthia Erivo‘s new one-woman show, Dracula! It’s a total departure from her upcoming role as Elphaba in Wicked, and she looks absolutely incredible. It’s playing in London’s West End, and the photos are already giving me chills – in the best way, of course!
The 39-year-old actress is returning to the stage after a difficult promotional tour for her recent fantasy movies. The tour received negative attention, including criticism of interactions between her and co-star Ariana Grande, 32, which some found unsettling.
Cynthia is playing Dracula and 22 other characters in a fresh take on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, currently showing at the Noel Coward Theatre.
In the darkly dramatic photo, the actress has a red, wavy wig, along with her signature long acrylic nails and a pair of fans.
Cynthia is a seasoned West End performer, first appearing in The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg in 2011. She later won the prestigious 2013 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in The Colour Purple.
She reprised her critically acclaimed role on Broadway and won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2016.
After a difficult press tour for Wicked, Cynthia is now getting the recognition she’s earned with her new solo show.
Ever since “Wicked” came out in 2024 and its follow-up film last year, both actresses have faced criticism for how they acted while promoting the movies.
Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews, Cynthia, who played Elphaba, and Ariana, who played Glinda, weren’t nominated for an Oscar this year.
Sources say the actors’ very public and intense displays of affection during interviews and promotional events likely caused Oscar voters to avoid voting for them, with some reportedly feeling uncomfortable.
Fans expressed concern not only about the actresses’ awkward red carpet appearances, but also about their significant weight loss.
Cynthia’s recent movie did well, but negative publicity during interviews caused concern. When the first shows of her new play in London were cancelled, worries about her public image increased.
The play premiered last Saturday, February 7th, and will continue running until May 31st.
The first three performances of her one-woman play were cancelled because of production issues, pushing the start date from February 4th to a later, unspecified time.
The first previews of the show were canceled because the production turned out to be more technically complex than anticipated. A message to ticket holders explained that they needed more time to finish everything and make sure the show was exactly as the creators envisioned.
The actress shared her excitement about returning to the stage, describing it as a long-awaited and deeply desired return to her roots.
Adapting a story as layered, intricate, and atmospheric as DRACULA provides a wonderful chance to explore its characters, the underlying myths, and what truly defines the human experience.
As soon as I was considered for the part, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Kip’s approach to the story is both exciting and unsettling, and it really struck a chord with me. It’s a chance to explore both the difficult parts of life and the hope we try to maintain.
As a performer, I feel incredibly lucky to be able to fully become so many different characters and tell their stories all within one show. It’s a real privilege to share that with audiences on the West End in this amazing production.
Honestly, taking on this show is terrifying, but in the best way! I know it’s going to push me to my absolute limit, demanding everything I have to offer, and I’m completely prepared to rise to the challenge and give it my all.
The outrage over Ariana and Cynthia not being nominated for an Oscar led one Academy voter to anonymously explain their decision.
News Nation reports that Academy voters may have been turned off by the couple’s excessive displays of affection during their recent promotional appearances.
One voter told Paula Froelich that the movie was just okay, despite the two lead actors having great chemistry. They added that the actors weren’t together on screen for most of the film.
I also didn’t like their promotional events at all. They made a lot of people uncomfortable, and in trying too hard to seem genuine, they ended up feeling fake and performative.
The Daily Mail has contacted The Academy for comment on these allegations but has not received a response.
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2026-02-09 16:49