Grimmwood
– A Gothic Rock Pantomime –
It’s nearing midnight in Grimmwood village…and theres some new idiots in town.
Welcome to Grimmwood – a dark pantomime, where gothic horror meets outrageous comedy in a twisted tale of bloodlines, betrayal, and bumbling vampires. At the heart of the chaos is Derek, an awkward teenage “vampire” preparing for his first bloodletting ritual to claim his place as heir to the creepy House of Seraphina. But when Derek ventures beyond the castle walls and discovers his fangs don’t work in the real world, a sinister hoax is uncovered—and the truth about his identity begins to unravel.
This modern rock opera take on traditional English pantomime is set in the quaint Transylvanian Heights village of Grimmwood which is overlooked by the sinister house on Craggy Spire lane, this laugh-out-loud musical dives deep into a world of hooded cultists, werewolf butlers, enchanted weirdos, and ancient secrets. With midnight approaching, Derek must choose who to trust… and find out if he’s a blood-sucking creature of darkness, or just a very confused teenager with no cell phone coverage.
Expect horror, hilarity, and a healthy dose of ham.
Countess Seraphina
– The Matriach –
Even as leader of the vampire horde, she must do all she can to protect her son – perhaps at the cost of the entire motley family.
Countess Seraphina is the terrifying leader of the vampire faction in Transylvanian Heights. Though her presence as a fire breathing red dragon is enough to chill the blood of the most hardened vampire hunter, she has a soft spot for true love.
Derek
– An Unfortunate Teen –
Blue-skinned, baby-fanged, and blessed with the attention span of a damp bat, Derek is a teenage shut-in who’d much rather stay inside watching vampire prank videos than fulfil his so-called destiny. But when he’s told he must find true love and complete the ancient bloodletting ritual before midnight — or literally crumble into dust — Derek is begrudgingly dragged out of his comfort zone (and his slippers) into a world he doesn’t remotely understand.
Hopelessly naïve and hilariously ill-equipped for the real world, Derek may discover he’s not the vampire everyone says he is… and maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all.
The Homeowners Association
– A Secret and Mysterious Cabal –
Shrouded in matching velvet robes, the Grimmwood Homeowners Association is a secretive cabal determined to preserve their pristine village charm—even if it means a little light kidnapping. Led by a vampire-obsessed chairperson with a taste for perfectly trimmed hedges and high heals, the HOA is dead set on winning Best Village in Transylvania Heights 2025, and they’re not about to let a moody blue teenager ruin their curb appeal.
When Derek wanders into the village square, all ancient bylaws break loose. Believing him to be a threat to house prices, community spirit, and acceptable lawn ornamentation, the HOA hatches a sinister plan to eliminate the boy—by any means necessary.
Gurtrude & Clogg
– Two Unlikely Anti-Heroes –
When Countess Seraphina needs something done properly, she sends literally anyone else. But when she needs someone to follow Derek and ensure he performs his bloodletting ritual, she reluctantly turns to her ever-faithful (and frequently disastrous) duo: Gertrude and Clogg.
Clogg, the unnervingly tall and pasty butler, speaks with glacial slowness and always seems one step behind—unless he’s secretly plotting something questionable, which he often is. Beside him shuffles Gertrude: stout, bearded, and unmistakably masculine under his frilly floral frock. Together, they stumble, bicker, and bodge their way through their assignment, causing far more chaos than clarity.
The Narrator
– Your (Un)willing Guide to Grimmwood –
Lurking in the shadows with a permanent sneer and a suspicious hunch, the Narrator is Grimmwood’s ever-present (and ever-grumpy) storyteller. Dressed in black and dripping with disdain, he exists outside the action but never misses a chance to meddle in it—causing minor chaos and inexplicable mishaps.
Tasked with keeping the story moving, the Narrator does so begrudgingly, regularly breaking the fourth wall to insult the audience, question the plot, or point out how much better this would all be if he were in charge. Equal parts malicious sprite and jaded theatre critic, he may be invisible to the characters—but his bitterness lingers like a bad smell in a cursed dressing room.
Countess Seraphina tries to destroy Grimmwood’s town market in her dragon form.
Wilbur, the mad inventor, examines a strange truth-telling gun.
Cheryl spikes Derek’s wine at the grand festival.
- Music Demos -
What you’re hearing are demo tracks—rough sketches, not the final curtain call. These tunes are here to give you a taste of Grimmwood’s musical world, but they’re still evolving, mutating, and occasionally howling at the moon. So please, don’t expect perfection just yet. The final score will be richer, tighter, and far more dramatic (probably with more thunderclaps). Stay tuned… and wear headphones. It helps.
Credit
Music and lyrics by Eli Silverton
Status
Script 80% complete · Music 60% written
Downloadable Material
Script sample
Phase 1 Production Budget
Current Opportunities
We’re currently seeking support to help bring this production to life. Whether you’re an arts funding body, private investor, or passionate theatre supporter, your contribution plays a direct role in the development of original New Zealand musical theatre.
• Concept album recording
Help fund a professional recording of the show’s key songs—an essential step in showcasing the music to potential partners and producers.
• Workshop readthrough
Support a live script and score reading with professional actors, giving us valuable creative feedback and momentum toward full staging.
• A nationwide staged reading tour
Support a script-in-hand tour across major centres to gather live audience feedback and build early interest. Funding would cover travel, accommodation, and basic costs for a small cast and band.
If you’re interested in supporting this project—through funding, sponsorship, or in-kind partnerships—we’d love to connect.
Estimated development cost for this phase: $10,000 – $15,000, depending on cast size, venue, and production needs.
For smaller one-off contributions, we very much apprechiate donations through Buy Me a Coffee to help us take one step closer to the stage.
Development Goals
Grimmwood is designed with adaptability in mind, ideally suited for community theatres. The production features a medium-sized cast and a compact orchestral band, making it both cost-effective and easy to stage. It’s written specifically for amateur theatre performers, with roles that are fun to play, engaging for audiences, and designed to suit a wide range of experience levels. Our company will stage the premiere production, establishing a creative benchmark and showcasing the full potential of the show.
Our ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive production package that allows theatre groups to stage Grimmwood either as a fixed in-house season or as a flexible touring show. This includes detailed staging notes, set and costume templates, orchestral scores, and multimedia assets.
In the spirit of traditional pantomime, Grimmwood thrives on direct audience interaction, improvisational energy, and a festive atmosphere. Venues with food and beverage service will find ample opportunity for added revenue and enhanced audience experience. Whether performed in a black box theatre, a town hall, or an outdoor space with minimal tech, the show is built to scale to suit the needs and resources of the presenting group—without compromising its theatrical charm.