![]() ![]() They also host movies nights in the summer and fall, and limited farm-to-table dinners on the island. These are exclusive tours with a limited amount of tickets available. Though this is mostly self-guided, a Bannerman Castle Trust Historian will be on hand to answer questions about the island and give two different 20-minute tours about its history. It leaves from Beacon, NY, the perfect weekend getaway from NYC! Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc.Īnother cool option is doing your own tour of the island and castle - by kayak or canoe! You do need to provide your own boat for this experience (there are no rentals), but if you have one this looks like a pretty amazing way to see the island. Today, the island hosts weekly tours that include a 30-minute boat ride to Bannerman Island, a guided 1.5-hour walking tour of the island that includes visit the famous Bannerman Castle ruins and gardens, a visit to the Bannerman Garden and Bannerman Residence, where you’ll learn about the history of the family and business, and a return trip back on the “Estuary Steward.” In its earlier history, Native American tribes thought it was haunted since it was uninhabited and only accessible by boat, and Dutch sailors continued these rumors and tales about the island. He built the castle for him and his wife to reside in in 1901, mimicking the Scottish castles of his home country. 2.Francis Bannerman, the namesake of the island, sold military goods in NYC and the island became his storage site after he had to move his supply outside of the city and saw the island when canoeing up the Hudson. But if you miss it, you’re in luck: “Dracula” will also have a three-show run at Widow Jane Mine in Rosendale from Sept. ![]() And if you ask Marquette, the limited run is only one thing audiences might want to shake some garlic at when it comes to this production. No matter what audiences are looking forward to in this production, whether castle or cast, there will be plenty to take in come the show’s premiere on Thursday. Other notable mentions among the cast include David Britton, a stand-up comic who Marquette said brings “a sense of freedom and play” to the role of Renfield, the fly-eating inmate and the Romanian-born David Smilow, whose authentic accent is second only to his “perfect demeanor as the Count.” Everyone is smart, experienced, and enjoying the ride.” “I’ve been in theater for over 40 years and I have to pinch myself when I watch this cast in action. A bold choice, Marquette admits, but not one he has regretted. Van Helsing, a character historically played by a man. That is why Nanette Ayers, a female actor, will be leading the cast as Dr. However, when it came to casting, Marquette hardly wanted to stick to the antiquated. Pollepel Island, where Bannerman Castle sits, is located on the Hudson River just south of Beacon. “We use mechanical bats on fishing lines. “Without any special effects, our largest challenge has been turning Dracula into a bat while onstage,” Marquette admits, before sharing with the Times Union the secret behind the illusion. And that meant getting creative around some of the show’s biggest moments. Related: Take a day trip to Bannerman CastleĪll Marquette had to do was adapt the show around the unique challenges of a venue that didn’t have modern plumbing until 2019. Since then, the overgrown ruins, devastated by fire and overrun by nature, have turned the castle into a legitimately gothic setting - the perfect backdrop for Dracula. The structure, with the words “Bannerman’s Island Arsenal” emblazoned on the side, essentially served as a kitschy advertisement until it was abandoned in 1950. The castle, constructed in 1901, was commissioned by Francis Bannerman VI, a New York-based military weapons dealer who needed a place to store his surplus equipment. However, the reality of producing a Broadway-style production at a 20th-century castle is as daunting as it is haunting. Marquette, whose company, Theatre on the Road, is known for its cemetery performances at The Old Dutch Church in Kingston, is used to working in unique and/or haunted venues. ![]() ![]() And audiences appear to be bloodthirsty for the production: Previously staged in 20, this run recently added two more performances to keep up with the demand upon its return to Pollepel Island.įor Marquette, the reason for the production’s popularity is simple: “Who would not want to experience ‘Dracula’ live and outside under the stars on an island with a real castle as a backdrop?” Non-period-appropriate trains aside, Marquette and his company are staging an immersive experience with a production of “Dracula,” the 1927 Broadway show, at Bannerman Castle this week. Information: /dracula-play or 84 See More Collapse ![]()
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