My late mother told me she went to see a stage production of Dracula, probably in the 1920s/30s at Sunderland Empire, with Raymond Huntley in the lead. There was a bat on a string as part of the "special effects" and she swore blind the manager of the theatre opened a side-door to let the cold in for "the atmosphere".
The telling of this may have become a little inaccurate over the years but I like to think it's correct.
I'll get me garlic.