THEATRE
Adapted from Mary Shelley by Nelle Lee
By Shake & Stir Theatre Co
At Princess Theatre until 1 Sept 2024 (then Sydney 28 Sept to 13 Oct)
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: *** (3)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 7 Sept 2024. KH
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| Frankenstein-Darcy Brown, Jeremiah Wray (screen) |
The stage production of Frankenstein, adapted by Nelle Lee from Mary Shelley’s horror novella, captivates audiences with its stunning visuals that effectively create a sense of location and atmosphere throughout the performance.
The elaborate set design and evocative lighting and special effects in Nick Skubij’s production, transport us to19th-century Geneva and the eerie laboratories where young, ambitious scientist, Victor Frankenstein (Darcy Brown) conducts his secret experiments.
The compelling visual elements of Frankenstein are a testament to the talent of the creative team: Josh McIntosh’s intricate set design, dynamic lighting by Trent Suidgeest, Guy Webster's atmospheric sound, as well as Steven Boyle’s grisly body make-up for the Creature (Jeremiah Wray).
This undeniably impressive design detail creates a visually stunning experience for audiences. However, the production does not balance spectacle and substance. The human drama at the heart of the story is dwarfed by the visual spectacle, overshadowing the onstage action and the delicate, psychological drama that is at the heart of Shelley’s narrative: Victor is driven to create humanity, the Creature is driven to make human connection. When this human warmth and relationship is denied the Creature, he lashes out in a vengeful torrent of destruction.
There is too much narration taken from Shelley’s prose and the characters remain two- dimensional and lacking emotional layers. Victor trembles with excitement then trepidation and, eventually, horror at the result of his disastrous experiment but his behaviour becomes repetitive and predictable.
Elizabeth (Chloé Zuel) is loving, concerned and reminds him of his home, Victor’s father (Tony Cogin) is supportive and long-suffering, Henry (Nick James), Victor’s lifelong friend, is buoyant, unwitting, loyal and relentlessly cheerful, while their housekeeper, Justine (Anna Lise Phillips), is maternal and protective. There is little light and shade in any of them, except perhaps, the Creature.
Wray’s Creature is statuesque and perhaps too beautiful an example of the human species to be truly horrific. He is athletic and physically adroit and his “birth” in Victor’s lab and ensuing attempts at simple movements as he scrambles across the floor are alarming and extraordinary.
With more equilibrium between its spectacular visual elements and the emotional core of the narrative, Frankenstein could truly be a standout theatre experience.
By Kate Herbert
Cast
Darcy Brown -Dr Victor Frankenstein
Jeremiah Wray -The Creature.
Chloé Zuel -Elizabeth.
Anna Lise Phillips - Justine
Tony Cogin – Father of Frankenstein
Nick James - Henry
Creative Team
Director & Creative Producer - Nick Skubij
Adaptor -Nelle Lee
Designer - Josh McIntosh
Creative Producer- Ross Balbuziente
Lighting Designer – Trent Suidgeest
Sound Designer & Composer – Guy Webster
Movement & Fight Director – Nigel Poulton
Creature Make-up Design -Steven Boyle
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