Cynthia Erivo responds to criticism as 'Dracula' receives mixed West End reviews

Cynthia Erivo says she ignores online criticism amid divided reviews for 'Dracula'

Cynthia Erivo has said she does not pay attention to online criticism following mixed reviews and audience reaction to her new stage role in Dracula at London’s Noël Coward Theatre.

The Wicked star is leading a new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, performing 23 characters and delivering around 20,000 words of dialogue across a two-hour production. The show blends live performance with on-stage cameras projecting close-ups onto a screen.

During preview performances, some audience members commented online that Erivo appeared to still be learning parts of the script and, at times, relied on an autocue. Speaking after the opening night, she said: "I'm not paying attention to any of them, as no one knows the experience except me. It's not for me."

She added: "I have a job to do and I want to do it as well as I can, and I want to do it with all my heart. I don't let the comments take the energy that I should be spending on the stage."

Erivo acknowledged she was "still learning my lines and figuring it out" during previews, explaining that "bit by bit it's become something that's a part of me, and everyone's learning process is different".

The production has divided critics. The Standard awarded four stars, describing her performance as extraordinary. The Stage gave two stars, calling the result "bloodless", while the Guardian also issued two stars, saying the atmosphere was "sedate". The Daily Mail awarded three stars, and the Telegraph gave four, calling it an "incredible feat of endurance".

Erivo said she chose the role because "It challenges me and makes me learn in a different way so I am forced to grow as an artist," adding: "If things were easy, it would be boring, so I choose the challenges."