Wednesday 16 March 2011

Frankenstein

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I mentioned a little while ago that I went to see Frankenstein at the National Theatre on the South Bank with a few of the girls so I thought I'd do a little review since the play has been so popular and we've now been to a couple of the discussions surrounding it. The play by Nick Dear is directed by Danny Boyle and stars Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch whom you probably recognise from last years BBC series, Sherlock. The really interesting thing about the play is that the two stars take it in turns to play Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, the schedule is up on the website therefore you can chose who you want to see play whichever character. When we were booking tickets we choose to see JLM play the creature (cos he's a bit more manly) and BC play the doctor, a similar role in terms of ego to Sherlock I suppose. Unfortunately, the night we went BM was not there (for whatever reasons) so we got the understudy who did played the role well but we were glad we hadn't paid any more than £26 for the tickets because not being able to see him was a little annoying. However, since the play mainly focused on the creature it was better to get an understudy for Frankenstein than vice versa.

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I've never read the book by Mary Shelly, but I did buy a copy in the theatre bookshop that I'll be starting as soon as I finish my current read. The book is set in 3 different volumes but the actual play doesn't begin until volume 2 chapter 3 i.e. when Frankenstein succeeds at his experiments and the Creature is born. The play primarily focuses on the development of the creature from starting lifeless shell to becoming a rationale person and finally his decline into an angry, revenge seeking monster. The first 15 minutes of the play was JLM writhing around the stage naked after the Creature had been born. Me being the blind bat that I am couldn't really make out any details if you know what I mean so no point in asking...

The whole experience was pretty intense with excellent help from the stage lighting and the soundtrack. Above the stage was an apparatus that can only be described as an explosion of one million fairy lights intertwined to resemble one crazy looking thunderbolt. This acted as the electricity that is so important for bringing the Creature alive. The music was loud and rowdy in places but also cheerful and inspirational in others and perfectly described the emotions the Creature was feeling. I loved the stage set and props used throughout the performance as they added a special kind of magic to the whole experience. The revolving stage was the perfect template for Frankenstein's mansion and laboratory as well as providing the rural setting to where the Creature learns how to talk, think and grow. At one point near the beginning a monstrous train appeared, clanging forwards onto the stage and illustrating the birth of the industrial revolution at the beginning of the 19th century.

The play was 2 hours long with no interval but can easily be broken into 2 halves, the first being the development of the Creature and his search to find where he came from and the second half finding Frankenstein and his eventual demise. The second half is a lot darker than the first, including scenes of rape and murder but is also the most interesting. The clever thing about the plot (play and book) is that your initial reaction is to think the Creature is a monster, because of his appearance and Frankenstein is the good doctor who realises what a mistake his made hence his initial act of abandoning the experiment. However, when you look at it more deeply you see that the Creature is actually the good soul who wants to learn and fall in love, the doctor basically ran away from the child he created and denies him the opportunity to have a significant other. However, as the story progresses the Creature (like many humans) falls victim to anger and punishes his creator by seeking revenge on his loved ones. Frankenstein has always acted in a way he believes best to save the population from this monster he has created but in doing so he has effectively destroyed his own life. The end of the play is incredible but I'm not going to spoil it for you in case you're going to see it.

My only negative thought about the play was the script. I loved how the whole story was focused primarily around the Creature but some of the other characters weren't well developed. The way the Creatures turned from a rationale being into a monster was very sudden and I though there could have been more depth into his decline.

All in all the play was fantastic and even though it is now sold out I would jump at the chance to see it again. JLM played his role incredibly well, he acting completely believable and the way he spoke with such emotion and longing at times had me hanging on to his every word. I would definitely give him 10 out of 10.

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The stage before the Danny Boyle and Nick Dear platform

As for the discussions surrounding the play I attended two; Frankenstein's Science and Danny Boyle and Nick Dear on Frankenstein. The first was a discussion with Brian Cox and the science surrounding the story. It was very different to what I imagined which was a theoretical lesson in how a scientist today would go about creating their own creature. Brian Cox described the physics at the time Shelley wrote the novel and how experiments how now been undertaken to 'create life'. It also explored the religious connotations that surround the play i.e.e Frankenstein carrying out the work of God and how was it possible that the Creature could have a soul. I thoroughly enjoyed it but unfortunately didn't get the opportunity to ask my question.

The second discussion was the more interesting. Nick and Danny spoke about how they came up with the idea, why they decided to have alternating roles and why the story was the way it was in a very down to earth and humerus manner. In the films, the Creature has never had a voice hence the reason for focusing on him. They discussed how the Creature is almost like an alter ego of the doctor and that in his eyes (Frankenstein) he has made the perfect being which fundamentally is an improvement on himself. For me not having read the novel, this was all extremely interesting.

The whole 3 night experience at the Olivier theatre has been wonderful and I've grown rather fond of the place so am a little sad I wont be visiting again any time soon. The play is a must seen and even though it has now sold out if there is any way for you to get a ticket I strongly recommend you go. I really want to see it again with the actors in their alternative roles. You can pick up a programme for 3 quid and there is even a special green cocktail available at the bar but I think it's something stupid like 8 quid so we didn't bother trying it. If any of you have gone or are planning to go let me know what you think.

Next theatre visit is Much Ado About Nothing x

16 comments:

  1. Wow, it sounds brilliant! I'm going soon so am looking forward to it :)
    x

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  2. Sounds like you had a good time even with the disappointment.

    Shame it's a little far from me as I would have enjoyed it.

    X x x

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  3. I love going to the theatre. The play sounds like it was good. And I do love Benedict Cumberpatch.

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  4. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely comment :) Wow I'm so jealous you got tickets for this I've been dying to see it, although that's a pity that BC wasn't there - I think he's such a great actor! I've read Frankenstein - it's quite heavy going but I would recommend it. Also I've read Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing too and it's one of my favourites out of his plays it's sooo funny! I'm again very jealous that you're going to see it hehe! Hope you have fun :) x

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  5. AHHHH thank you SO much for this! I am a poor student and thus unable to afford this play (plus have 4 plays lined up this month alone so feared I needed to show SOME self restraint!). Hence, you giving me a little review is great!

    I did a physical theatre adaptation of Frankenstein for my final piece of degree performance (I did a BA hons in Drama) and am really glad to hear that this version has focused on the parts of the novel that I am highly interested in, and we actually focused on! I love the interlinking of the two characters, we did this representation via mirroring, two sides of the same coin.

    Im devestated to have missed this but very thankful for your review. <3

    Thank youuu!

    xxxx

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  6. What a fab review - thank you!

    Sadly all the tickets have sold out for the satellite showing at my local cinema so it doesn't look like I'm going to get to see it :( Have made up for it by booking tickets for an extra play when we're in London this weekend. Can't wait!

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  7. Sucks about the under study thing... but I am so jealous ! I've been wanting to see this since I saw an advert for it before some film I watched ages ago. Glad you enjoyed yourself XXX

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  8. I couldn't afford to go to London so I'm seeing it in the cinema in Cardiff. I am pretty much in love with Benedict Cumberbatch so I can't wait. Even more excited now you have posted this :) xx

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  9. I ACTUALLY read this. when I'm supposed to be reading for my dissertation :) does that make you feel awesome that I waste my precious time (although , I don't consider it time wasted, only procrastinated.. ) i never even have time to read blogs these days:( but i read yours! yahaay! :)
    btw, funny story about frankestain. well not him personally. but i was like in a group of people and we were talking about Frankestein and we were like 'oh yea, he's like totally differently portrayed in the film that the book described and portrayed him' and this one girl, (of no particular hair colour. *ehm blonde ehm* was like 'wait, he was REAL!?!'
    it was so funny at the time!!
    sorry if i'm not making much sense, i'm really tired, sniff :(

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  10. i love the theatre!!! althou i hardly ever get to go! :( xo

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  11. Loathe Frankenstein (the book), would definitely take Much Ado instead. Wonderful play! A favourite Shakespeare. x

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  12. I was so disappointed when I read about this a few months ago because I'm currently in Australia and won't be back until after the run finishes.... BUT, I just found out that they have filmed it and will be showing it at cinemas out here hurrah so I'm going to see it in a couple of weekends time - of course it won't be as good as actually being there but I'm glad I get to see it all the same. :)
    Beth @ Baking and Brogues
    xx

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  13. Great review :) I don't get to go to the theatre enough and I wish I could! Sami xx
    highstreethub.blogspot.com

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  14. shame you didn't see BC in the flesh, was excellent, I went for the preview and saw jonny as the monster too, he was just so brilliant! x
    check out my review on it, really enjoyed yours!

    http://medusaswardrobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-frankenstien-at-national-olivier.html

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  15. shame you didn't see BC in the flesh, was excellent, I went for the preview and saw jonny as the monster too, he was just so brilliant! x
    check out my review on it, really enjoyed yours!

    http://medusaswardrobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-frankenstien-at-national-olivier.html

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