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Love & Madness present Frankenstein
Directed by Neil Sheppeck Adapted by Catriona Craig
Greenwich Theatre 28 March – 5 April, 2008
A review byKirsty Harris for EXTRA! EXTRA!
With debates about test tube babies, saviour siblings, genetic modifications and all manner of scientific-creation-alteration issues regularly popping up in the media, a tale of science gone array in the act of creating life outside of the natural methods seems apt and appropriate. This adaptation of Mary Shelley’s nineteenth century gothic horror novel claims not to want to overly update the story for a modern audience, and yet uses snippets of text from various centuries spoken to the audience in what is quite plainly an attempt to relate the tale to contemporary scientific developments and their attached moral issues. The action plunges straight into a scene on a polar exhibition. Victor Frankenstein is found half dead and deliriously ranting about the monster he is hell-bent on finding and destroying. In these first few moments we are treated to an array of literary clichés and it becomes apparent that the script (adapted from the book by Catriona Craig) is not the most original. The set (designed by Nicky Bunch) fails to evoke the time and locations. This piece really needs some atmosphere in order to create a definite contrast to the pieces of spoken documentary text which are delivered throughout. Liberal use of a smoke machine just doesn’t quite do it. There are times when the lighting becomes more dramatic and the soundscape more evocative; such as the moments leading up to the big revival of the corpse on the workbench. The pace slows, an eerie chorus rises and falls and the audience is allowed to watch the movements of a man preparing to do something brilliant and terrible. More of these moments would move this piece away from the wishy washy and into the disturbing but captivating – a combination of adjectives which can often be applied to bizarre scientific experiments. As Victor Frankenstein, Nathan Brine doesn’t come across as a man with any sort of conviction in his horrific actions. His performance is rushed and disengaging. The character of Frankenstein’s Creature on the other hand, is strikingly original; portrayed as an intelligent man longing for a companion but trapped inside the body of a monster by Craig Tonks. He evokes sadness rather than fear from the audience, despite the rather clumsy make-up. The other performances stand up against the weak text, in particular Luciano Dodero who brings delightful touches of wit to the piece, contrasting to developing horror and making it more poignant by that contrast. Dodero is one of the few members of the cast who really engages with the audience, making him easy and enjoyable to watch. The spoken pieces of text relating to scientific development over the centuries, such as an article on Dolly the Sheep, are well intentioned and give the piece an interesting perspective. However, with so little atmosphere to tie the production together in the first place, these tend to also, disperse the focus further. The overall impression of Frankenstein, is therefore, one of a science docudrama rather than a dramatic and captivating piece of theatre.
Evenings;Fri 28 & 29 March, Wed 2, Fri & Sat 5 April 7.30pm £20, £18, £16 (£18, £16, £14) Matinees;Thu 3 April; 1.30pm & Sat 5 April 2.30pm £18, £16, £14 (£16, £14, £12) Box Office - 020 8858 7755 or
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