For over a century, the vampiric story of Count Dracula has captured the imaginations of playwrights, filmmakers and composers. Dance, too, has not escaped its gothic enchantment and the unusual pairing of terror and seduction. The West Australian Ballet will present its own take on the famous tale in the world premiere of Dracula by renowned European choreographer Krzysztof Pastor.

When Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella first approached Pastor about creating a full-length ballet for the company, the well-known vampire story was floated as a possible narrative. Pastor, who is Polish, saw a special opportunity to involve the work of one of his fellow countrymen, Wojciech Kilar, who wrote the music for the famous 1992 film adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Kilar’s body of award-winning film and classical compositions proved to be an irresistible source of material for the new ballet.

Dracula, West Australian BalletMatthew Lehmann and Krzysztof Pastor rehearsing Dracula. Photo: supplied 

“Kilar was a very prolific movie composer and also had a distinguished career as a serious music composer,” explains Pastor. “So what I have tried to do is mix a bit of...