Unit 1, Part C: Review of the National Theatre's 'Frankenstein'

The National Theatre's 2011 production of 'Frankenstein' returned to cinemas around the country for Halloween this year, and I was lucky enough to see a screening of the play at the Courtyard Theatre on the 31st October 2013. Nick Dear's play is a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic gothic novel of the same name, and this production was directed by Danny Boyle, creator of films such as 'Trainspotting' and 'Slumdog Millionaire', as well as the breathtaking London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. I was very excited about this production, as I am studying 'Frankenstein' for my English Literature A Level, and was intrigued to see Dear and Boyle's interpretation of the famous tale.

The Creation of Frankenstein's 'Monster'

The play opens with the creation of Frankenstein's 'monster', on this occasion played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who alternated roles between Victor Frankenstein and the Creature with Johnny Lee Miller, perfectly representing the idea that the two characters are doubles. The minimal clothing of the protagonist in the opening scene, and the amount of time he spends exploring the stage and attempting to walk, perfectly demonstrates the innocence and naivety of the Creature, who is effectively a newborn child. Unlike the book, the play spends the first half focusing on the Creature and his development, rather than on Victor Frankenstein, which I found to be a good change, as I find the character of Frankenstein less interesting than that of his creation. 

Lightbulbs Suspended Above the Stage

The staging of this production was very characteristic of Boyle's style, with some of the industrial scenes seeming very reminiscent of the Olympic Opening Ceremony he directed the following year. Otherwise, the use of props and scenery was very simplistic, which was effective as it did not detract from the main focus of the characters. One of my favourite parts of the staging was the use of lighting, with thousands of lightbulbs suspended above the stage, changing colour and flickering to match the action on stage, and suggesting the power of electricity, one of 'Frankenstein's themes. 

For me, one of the negative aspects of this adaptation of 'Frankenstein' was the pure deviance of the story from Shelley's original novel, because important characters, such as Justine, were completely missed out and new characters were invented. However, the production managed to capture the key themes of ambition, science and responsibility perfectly. Therefore, I would highly recommend the National Theatre's production of 'Frankenstein' to anybody interested in literature or theatre, as long as you open your mind and do not expect it to stick religiously to the original storyline. I would also love to see Johnny Lee Miller's portrayal of the Creature to see how the two actors interpreted the role differently. 

Frankenstein's Industrial Scene

The Industrial Revolution in Boyle's Opening Ceremony