FRANKENSTEIN: MONSTER TREADS THE BOARDS

There have been over 100 stage adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but the latest from the National Theatre in London is different in that it gives the monster a voice. David Spicer previews the adaptation about to take to the stage in Sydney before touring to 26 venues across Australia.

It was written more than 200 years ago, but Mary Shelley’s classic tale still resonates.

A man born as an adult has to survive on his wits, learning fast.

When the creature is cast out into society by his creator, the young Dr Frankenstein, he is shunned for his grotesque appearance. But when a blind man takes him under his wing, the creature begins to question his existence and yearn for a future without loneliness.

The writer Nick Dear has written the play from the perspective of the monster.

“I had seen the famous films, but what struck me when I read the novel was this great central narrative in the story about the monster. In most of movies he only gets to grunt a bit,” he told Platform Television.

He said it’s similar in other great horror stories, where the ‘creature’ rarely gets a voice. Mr Hyde, or Dracula, are usually talked about.

“Mary Shelley gives it to us on a plate. Her central 40 pages or so is the creature telling us his story.”

It’s what excited the Ensemble Theatre’s Director Mark Kilmurry.

“This is a creature that talks, that can be articulate about the way he feels – and the way he feels is very angry,” he said.

But the writer insists it’s not just about monsters – Frankenstein, he says, is about what it means to be human.

It took 20 years for the play to get the stage, postponed for a decade when a major movie was released.

“It is a coincidence we had young children when we started and older when it was finished. But we saw all this subtext as to what does it mean to be a good parent.”

He adds that Mary Shelley’s story is a novel of ideas which debates issues still relevant today, such as the role of science and its capacity for good and evil.

“The central question is how you can bring a dead man back to life. It’s a fairytale for adults.”

Director Mark Kilmurry says the physicality of the piece will excite audiences

“Being a horror film buff from way back, it’s going to be something very scary indeed.”

The creature comes to life in a burst of light and steam; the images of anatomy flash on back walls; heartbeats pound in the darkness, there is another flash of light, the creature tries to speak! And the play begins.

But it has been toned down a tad from the National Theatre production. That featured full nudity.

“Full nudity can be a distraction, as the audience thinks what is the actor feeling like being naked?”

“We are travelling to 26 venues across Australia so we want as wide an audience as possible.”

Partial nudity for a quick scene will be in the play, which won’t give audiences the biggest fright of the night.

The production will premiere at the Sydney Opera House from March 27, 2013, then play at the Ensemble Theatre from April 17 through to May 4, before touring nationally for three months starting in Canberra on May 7, then touring to various venues through Victoria, Tasmania, Qld and NSW, finishing up in Wollongong on August 10. 

Images: Andrew Henry as Dr Frankenstein  and Lee Jones as The Creature in FRANKENSTEIN. Photographer: Heidrun Lohr.