We ask everyone who comes to the amphitheater to observe the following rules:
- If you feel ill, please do not visit the Amphitheater.
- Please be respectful and maintain distance from those not in your group at all times.
Malcolm Cowler’s stage adaption of J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s "Carmilla" closely follows the original story of Laura, a young woman living with her father in a remote mansion. Laura's life takes a mysterious turn when a carriage accident brings a stranger named Carmilla to their doorstep. Carmilla, a beautiful and enigmatic young woman, becomes a close friend to Laura. However, as their relationship deepens, Laura experiences unsettling and frightening events. Strange occurrences, such as mysterious illnesses and unsettling dreams, surround Carmilla.
The novella is renowned for its Gothic atmosphere, exploration of forbidden desires, and early contributions to vampire literature (it was written 20 years before Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”)
The reviews are in:
Carmella is a very intriguing and mesmerizing Gothic adventure. Adventure is the appropriate word for this entertaining romp through European folklore. Given the subject matter, there is the potential for some campy performances however across the board the actors remain well within their characters and very believable. The high level of acting skills and novel set changes captured my attention for the duration of the play. For me it was an "edge-of-the seat" performance not to be missed.
S. A.
What a hidden gem Orinda has with ORSVP! We have attended the performances every year for many years, and almost without exception, have loved each and every one of them. We have been particularly impressed with the level of acting this year, and even if not familiar with a particular performance, we come away being glad that we attended. Carmilla is an example…we had never heard of it before and we thought it was extremely well done.
J. C.
The Orinda Starlight Village Players (OSVP) have a real “winner” in their current production of Carmilla. It is an ambitious and wholly successful adaptation of the gothic horror vampire novella by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. Carmilla famously influenced Bram Stoker later in the writing of Dracula as well as a number of contemporary films.
Malcolm Cowler (as playwright, director, and actor) in this excellent adaptation exhibits a deft touch at capturing the dark tension between mystery and horror and even romance. The acting is first rate with the leads of Sarah Catherine Chan (Carmilla) and Wolfie Lewandowski(Laura) as stand outs. Their portrayal of their complex relationship of coexistent “love” and “prey” is captivating.
The production values of the costumes and stagecraft are exemplary. The use of a dynamic 3D projection backdrop for the various scenes allows for a display of a great range of locations not achievable with a static set. Amazingly there are 21 different sets that are presented. If you sit close enough to the stage, the innovative technique provides an immersive experience.
Thoroughly enjoyable, Carmilla should not be missed!
N. B.
Tickets are available via
EventBrite, or at the Box Office: call (925) 528-9225 or email
info@orsvp.org for reservations
