Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, originally published in 1818, has been adapted into movies, TV shows, songs, firmly cementing itself as a staple in popular culture for over two centuries. While the films and original novel are daresay the most iconic, the themes of what it is to be human, still rings true today with identity politics and manipulation of artificial intelligence and how it affects, what it means to be a human being.
Now theatre company Shake and Stir’s brand new stage interpretation is a spectacular addition to the long list of adaptations (including last year’s Oscar-winning Poor Things film) Nick Skubij directs this with the script written by Nelle Lee. A clever amount of technology is used to paint the picture of the Industrial Revolution with an immersive and impressive amount of production and set pieces to bring this incredible world to life on the stage.
Leading the production is Darcy Brown who plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, born of a wealthy Genevan family, he has the ambition to reanimate life by patching different body parts together. The creature, played here by Jeremiah Wray, is a fascinating interpretation of the monster, he is able to switch between extremely violent and destructive while still needing love and connection as his knowledge builds. The relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature is explored with his guilt for creating the monster and the actions that follow are explored beautifully on the stage. While you may know this story thanks to its many iterations, it still manages to speak to a modern audience through it blurs the lines between man and machine.
The other supporting actors in the production include Chloe Zuel as Frankenstein’s bride Elizabeth, who is able to bring a veracity to the character while showing growing concern for the creature her beloved has created. The character duality continues with Wray who can easily shift from childlike innocent to vengeance-seeking monster. Wray is able to deliver this seamlessly, under some pretty impressive makeup and practical effects that are truly a marvel to witness.
Technically, this show operates on a whole new level for live theatre. By using rear projection, curtains and screens (seen recently in a similar way in Sunset Boulevard) The rotating stage of the Princess Theatre allows for sets to whip in and out seamlessly. The dark gothic horror vibes are evident from the start of this production as the thick blanket of white smoke covers the stage, an enormous ship ascends and truly impresses. There is a multi-screen backdrop that is used to transport the audience across different locations, it is also used brilliantly to enhance character emotions, in particular the Creature and Frankenstein as his madness increases.
Frankenstein brings the classic horror story to the live stage in a spectacle that should not be missed. With outstanding practical effects that blend with the sets, the classic tale comes to life in a unique way that puts the audience into Shelley’s mad world and forces us to reflect on our humanness and what trying to recreate humanity inside another shell would look like. As our society reckons with introducing artificial intelligence and attempting to make it human, While there are definite lashings of humour in this production, it is firmly set in the gothic horror genre, utilising outstanding performances from its cast who make this classic tale as relevant as it was two centuries ago.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended the performance on the 28th of August
Proudly presented by Shake & Stir Theatre Company, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is playing for strictly limited seasons in Melbourne at the Princess Theatre until the 1st of September and in Sydney at Theatre Royal from the 28th of September to the 13th of October.
For more information and ticketing, visit: https://frankensteinlive.com.au
