There are productions that entertain, there are productions that impress, and then there are productions that stay with you long after the curtain falls. The Changeling at Oldbury Rep—quite rightly the jewel in the crown of Sandwell's theatre scene—belongs firmly in that final category.

Written by Paul Steventon-Marks, whose unforgettable portrayal of Salieri in Amadeus at Oldbury Rep remains one of the finest performances we've seen on its stage, The Changeling demonstrates yet again his remarkable talent for storytelling. Drawing inspiration from Bram Stoker's Dracula, Paul explores the fascinating mythology shared by vampires and faeries, weaving together folklore, horror and the darkest corners of human imagination into a tale that is as unsettling as it is captivating.

From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear we were in for something special. Under the superb stage management of Lynne Payne, the production moved seamlessly from scene to scene, transporting us effortlessly into the frozen forests and crumbling castles of Transylvania. Every transition was slick and atmospheric, allowing the audience to become completely immersed in Paul's chilling world.

A huge amount of credit must go to the scenery and construction team. Taking Paul's extraordinary vision and making it tangible, Dave, Leigh, Pete, Dek, Filip and Alan created a haunting landscape of eerie woodland, deserted castles and shadowy interiors that felt wonderfully cinematic. It wasn't simply scenery—it became another character within the story.

The costume department also deserves enormous praise. Carol Deakin and Paul Steventon-Marks once again proved why they are masters of theatrical design, blending Victorian elegance with subtle steampunk influences to create costumes that perfectly suited the gothic atmosphere. The attention to detail was astonishing, and I must admit I was more than a little jealous of some of those magnificent Victorian dresses!

Our guides into this terrifying world were Van Helsing, played with quiet determination by Kieran Bentley, and his travelling companion Tomaz, portrayed brilliantly by Dek Bagley. Battling the freezing wilderness of Transylvania, the pair seek shelter in an isolated woodland house occupied by the unsettling Frau Grohl, wonderfully played by Carol Deakin. Let's just say she's the sort of landlady you definitely wouldn't want to stumble across in a Blackpool B&B.

Living with Frau Grohl are her daughters, Mercy (Mariel Olivier) and Birdie (Sheila Herriotts), and from this point onwards the production transforms into something reminiscent of Tales of the Unexpected. Every time you thought you understood where the story was heading, it twisted sharply into another unexpected direction.

One particularly memorable moment came with the introduction of the mysterious Changeling, brought hauntingly to life through impressive puppetry by Steve Palmer. Found deep within the sinister forest, the creature appears impossible to destroy despite Van Helsing's desperate attempts, leaving both the characters and the audience questioning exactly what they are dealing with.

The story takes another dramatic turn when Mercy ventures alone to a deserted castle and encounters the mysterious Dimitri during an eerie ballroom gathering. She returns home... changed. Far more changed than anyone could possibly imagine.

By this point, The Changeling had fully embraced its gothic horror roots—and I couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere became increasingly tense as Van Helsing and Tomaz found themselves confronting unimaginable horrors within the castle itself, culminating in a finale that genuinely caught us completely off guard.

Without giving anything away, the final twist is nothing short of masterful. It completely redefines everything that has gone before. It is the sort of ending that would surely have earned an approving smile from Roald Dahl himself, whose love of darkly unexpected conclusions is legendary.

Every member of the cast delivered committed, believable performances, and the chemistry between the ensemble ensured the audience remained emotionally invested throughout. We found ourselves discussing the production for the entire journey home, and judging by the conversations overheard as the audience left the theatre, we certainly weren't alone.

There have been countless reinterpretations of Dracula over the years, but The Changeling feels genuinely original. Rather than simply retelling familiar vampire lore, it expands upon it, creating something entirely fresh while remaining deeply respectful of its literary inspiration.

One final observation deserves mentioning. We attended the Saturday evening performance during one of the hottest days of the year. Quite how the cast managed to perform with such energy while wearing layers of elaborate Victorian costumes remains a mystery in itself. Their commitment never faltered for a moment, and the audience was rewarded with a performance of extraordinary quality.

If you missed this production at Oldbury Rep, don't despair.

Thanks to a partnership between Oldbury Rep and Sandwell Libraries, The Changeling will be performed at three library venues:

Tipton Library – Saturday 15 August, 7.30pm

Blackheath Library – Monday 17 August, 7.30pm

Wednesbury Library – Saturday 22 August, 7.30pm

Tickets are available via TicketSource by searching for Sandwell Libraries.

If you enjoy gothic storytelling, supernatural mystery, unexpected twists and theatre that lingers in your thoughts long after you've left your seat, then make every effort to see The Changeling.

It's beautifully written, imaginatively staged, superbly performed—and quite simply one of the finest original productions Oldbury Rep has delivered in recent years.