Cynthia Erivo Overcomes Teleprompter Controversy with Emotional Curtain Call in Solo ‘Dracula’ Debut

Cynthia Erivo found herself overwhelmed with emotion during the curtain call of her solo performance in Dracula’s opening night in London on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old star of Wicked is embracing the challenge of portraying Dracula along with 22 additional characters in this innovative rendition of Bram Stoker’s legendary tale, staged at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Following the press performance, she seemed to fight back tears as she basked in the audience’s applause.

Dressed in a black vest that highlighted her impressively toned arms, Cynthia also sported theatrical blood on her forehead.

She was seen taking a proud bow alongside the supportive crew members at the show’s conclusion.

She was supported by her A-list pals including Florence Pugh at the opening night. 

Cynthia Erivo struggled to hold back her emotions at the curtain call on the opening night of her one-woman play of Dracula in London on Tuesday

The Wicked actress, 39, is sinking her teeth into the role of Dracula and 22 other characters in the unique adaptation of Bram Stoker’s iconic novel at her one-woman show at the Noel Coward Theatre

Florence, 30, led the arrivals and looked stylish in a high-neck black velvet dress.

She was joined by the likes of Lizzie Cundy, Myleene Klass and Lady Victoria Hervey for the show. 

Just last week Cynthia was accused of ‘using teleprompters’ to remember her lines in the adaptation. 

First impressions left many viewers ‘disappointed’ after spotting the star was being ‘fed her lines’, according to The Telegraph.

Disgruntled theatre-goers raced to social media, Reddit and various West End blogs to share their opinions.

They wrote: ‘I saw it last night and was SO disappointed. Interesting point about the last 30 minutes – I spent that time just wondering when the show was finally going to be over. I’m normally such a fan of theatre, but I left frustrated at spending £70 on a ticket, honestly’.

Another fan replied to the comment echoing: ‘Same I tried so hard to get into it and I just couldn’t.’

Another pointed out: ‘I wish I hadn’t bought an early on ticket for this. 

And after the press showing she appeared to be holding back tears as she reacted to the audience’s claps

Cynthia showed off her incredibly muscular arms in a black vest top and appeared to have costume blood on her forehead

The Wicked star was seen proudly bowing with the rest of the support crew at the end of the show

Just last week Cynthia was accused of ‘using teleprompters’ to remember her lines in the adaptation

The support crew then joined her on the stage

She later left the theatre in an all-red look

She added long boots and a matching bag

She looked in great spirits as she headed home after the performance

Fans had been waiting for her outside

Cynthia looked worlds away from Wicked on stage at the Noel Coward Theatre

No stranger to the West End Cynthia made her debut in The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg back in 2011

Her mother Edith was there to support her at the show

‘On my night there were technical issues and staging problems but worst of all Cynthia was struggling with remembering her lines and place in the script (despite visible auto cues on either side of her). 

‘In my opinion, it was just a retread of the Dorian Gray experience with a weaker story line. 

‘I’m sure the issues will be ironed out in a couple of weeks and it will be fabulous and I totally accept that if you go for a ticket at the start of a run you have to be prepared for mishaps but honestly it was disappointing.’  

The Daily Mail contacted The Noel Coward and Cynthia’s representatives for a comment.

Cynthia looked worlds away from Wicked in the first official photo for the show which was released earlier this month.

In the gothic snap the actress could be seen with a red wig styled into finger waves while also sporting a pair of fangs and her trademark acrylic fingernails.

No stranger to the West End Cynthia made her debut in The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg back in 2011, before winning the 2013 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in The Colour Purple.

She recreated that award-winning role for the Broadway production and scooped the Best Actress In A Musical Tony in 2016.

Cynthia could finally start to receive the glory she deserves in her new one-woman show following a disastrous Wicked press tour.

Since the release of Wicked in 2024 and its sequel last year, she and Ariana Grande have been lambasted with criticism over their behaviour during the promo blitz.

Cynthia, who starred as Elphaba, and Ariana, as Glinda, were snubbed of an Oscar nomination this season despite the rave reviews the movie has received.