Emily-Jane McNeill as Victoria Frankenstein and Andy Cresswell as the Creature

Frankenstein

Lichfield Garrick

****

Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus has gone through a wealth of re- incarnations on both stage and screen over the years and remains a firm favourite on school syllabuses to this day.

Tilted Wig’s latest re-imagining takes selected elements from Shelley’s original story to create a more contemporary take, whilst staying loyal to the central theme exploring the consequences of playing God.

There are some interesting adaptations here. Most notably, Victor Frankenstein, the doctor who creates life from assorted dead body parts, is now a female . . . Victoria (played with meticulous obsession and urgency by Emily Jane McNeill). It’s a change that allows a fresher, slightly softer dynamic to the character. It also gives some space for emotional reflection - something not particularly associated with the Peter Cushing/Hammer Horror versions.  

Andy Cresswell as the tormented creature with no name

Choices have inevitably been made on what and who to include and what to leave out. It’s an editing process required on any adaptation from a major text. Choices are bold and effective here, focusing on specific questions within the writing and expanding on them. The choice of time period is a clever one too, setting it within war time Europe - cue inevitable comparisons between Frankenstein’s experiments and those of the Nazi high command trying to create an Aryan Master Race.

It’s a nicely worked way of exploring the central theme without deviating too much from original narrative. Central to the rather scary state sponsored master race programme, is Richter, a powerhouse, cold as steel woman with immaculate dress sense and a terrifying plan of action, played with crisp precision by Basienka Blake. Her exchange with Frankenstein is telling and sends shivers.

Whilst new visions and changes are interesting to note, there are still certain expectations from a play so closely associated with fear and horror. There still need to be scary moments, impending doom, rising tension - all the usual ‘ horror’ ingredients to satisfy an expectant crowd. Fear not. Those moments are here . . . with even the odd waft of dry ice. Add into that a beautifully designed set (Nicky Bunch), filmic lighting (Jason Addison) and moody underscoring and the job is done.

Time is given for dialogue to breathe, allowing the audience to fully digest what is being said. The opening scene in particular is deliberately slow and often paused. A brave opening but one that offers a calm before the storm. We also return to the first scene’s location for the final scene….clever bookending from Director Sean Aydon which serves to bring everything full circle.

Andy Cresswell’s Creature is sensitive, enquiring and tortured - a million miles away from the bolt in neck monster of old and more in line with De Niro’s1994 film version. Cresswell captures well the frustration and inner torment of the man. “You didn’t even give me a name!!” he rages with understandable anger. A superb piece of physical acting, with the addition of excellent face changing prosthetics (Imogen Mercer)

Huge credit to Tilted Wig for breathing new life (no pun intended) into such a classic and often told story. Whilst essential elements and themes remain, there are fresh explorations here which can only serve to make it’s appeal even wider.

Bold, fresh and considered story telling that still makes you jump.

Tom Roberts

08-10-24

N.B. It isn’t widely known but there is a Lichfield connection to Frankenstein. Shelley was a great admirer of Erasmus Darwin who lived in Lichfield. Darwin, a scientist/naturalist, also had an interest in creating life, based on experiments of mixing water with organisms. When Mary was in Geneva with Percy Shelly and Lord Byron, they each challenged each other to come up with a ghost story.

Presumably, given Lord Byron was present, some drink was taken. After a bit of imbibing, she came up with Frankenstein and clearly won the challenge. She went on to thank and credit Darwin for the inspiration in the early editions of the book. 

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