Erivo's 'Dracula' Bows Amidst Teleprompter Controversy

Cynthia Erivo's highly anticipated one-woman show, "Dracula," premiered on Tuesday at the Noel Coward Theatre. The "Wicked" actress takes on the challenging role of Dracula and 22 other characters in a distinctive adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic novel. The opening night saw a strong celebrity turnout, with Florence Pugh leading the arrivals in a stylish black velvet dress, accompanied by notable figures like Lizzie Cundy and Myleene Klass.

However, the premiere was shadowed by recent accusations that Erivo, 39, relied on teleprompters to remember her lines. Some audience members who attended early performances reportedly shared their disappointment on social media, citing visible auto-cues and struggles with line recall. These comments, which emerged on platforms like Reddit and West End blogs, described initial impressions as 'disappointing' and expressed frustration with the ticket prices.

Despite these criticisms, Erivo's past West End successes, including an Olivier Award for "The Colour Purple" in 2013 and a Tony Award for its Broadway transfer in 2016, highlight her established theatrical talent. This new venture into "Dracula" follows a period where Erivo and co-star Ariana Grande faced scrutiny over their behavior during the "Wicked" press tour, with both actresses notably being absent from Oscar nominations despite the film's acclaim.