Most everyone knows the premise of this story. A storm, a group of writers, a ghost story competition - most notably, the birth of Frankenstein. But fewer know that this night was also the birth of the modern vampire, in The Vampyre by John Polidori. Many speculate that the vampire in Polidori's story was inspired by the host of that fateful evening, Lord Byron, and his relationship with Polidori. The First Vampire expands upon the mystery of Byron's life, asking just how much of The Vampyre was truly based in reality. This two-hander, created by Ryan Gladstone from Monster Theatre, is a fantastic dive into the messy reality of intimate relationships, with a gothic spin that anyone with a penchant for the macabre is sure to enjoy. It forces us to look at the fact that vampires, in some way or another, are very real - you likely know at least one. The show is driven by performances from Madeleine Humeny and Rebecca Wass as the two leading men, both of whom know how to walk the line between drama and comedy like a tightrope. The deeply grounded portrayals of Polidori and Byron will have you unsure of who you’re rooting for, or if there’s even a side to take. With beautiful costumes, standout performances, and a fascinating premise, the audience was held on the edge of their seat from lights up to lights down. If you enjoy literature, gothic tales, vaguely homoerotic relationships, and of course vampires, head down to Fringe venue 18 and catch The First Vampire.