Frankenstein: The Creator, not the creature.

Recently, I saw the National Theatre production that was shown in cinemas, as I didn't have the chance to see it last year. As with most National Theatre productions, you expect a certain standard of both production and performance.  I set high expectations for the show and it did not disappoint.


The decision to have the two Actors playing Frankenstein and The Creature alternate was a decision rightly made by Director Danny Boyle. This critical choice gave the actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, a new edge of characterisation. They both had part of the Creature in their characterisation of Frankenstein and part of Frankenstein in their Creature. This provided an excellent character that was created by both actors. Each performance had it's similarities, but provided their own personal spin on the character that made their performances so dynamic. 

Photo taken from National Theatre website.

The technical aspects were quite outstanding. The circular stage, surrounded by a simple backdrop of white cloth set not particular scene for the beginning of the play. All that was set on stage was what appeared to be a highly detailed 'homemade womb'. Across the centre of the circular stage was a train track which eventually bore a marvellously structured  industrial train. The scene in itself was very well devised, but the construction of the train added to the scene and opened up the play, giving us a time span and a possible location for where the play is set, if the audience wasn't already aware from knowing Mary Shelly's original novel. 

Photo taken from National Theatre website.

The script was marvellously written; adapted by Nick Dear, it was beautifully poetic and haunting and was different to most typical adaptations of the original novel as it followed the early days and weeks of the Creature's life, as opposed to Victor's life giving us reason to emphasize with him. We see the vulnerable Creature, rejected by his creator and outcasted by society taken in by an old blind man, who teaches him how to read and write. 

Photo taken from the National Theatre website.

The play was beautifully written, directed and performed. Theatre wouldn't be as interesting if every adaptation of a book or novel was the same. This different, poetic version of a classic gothic novel is a perfect example of this. Dear's thinking outside of the box, with Boyle's creative direction, created a innovative piece of theatre that is keeping the Theatre Industry rolling forwards to a stronger future.