Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn
The trailer for Frankenstein gives the viewer an eerily glimpse of what to expect with a taste of the threatening, haunting music, gloomy sets and effective use of lighting! So, it was with some trepidation that I arrived at the theatre to watch the new adaptation of the Gothic masterpiece Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, which is now playing at Derby Theatre, starring screen actress Eilidh Loan.
Derby Theatre has a considerable history of presenting impressive theatrical performances to the public. The main auditorium maintains intimacy for approximately 530 seated guests, with comfortable and spacious seating. The staff are attentive and look after their patrons. Car parking is safe, secure and all under one roof. The most convenient car park is Intu Derby Basement car park, accessed from Traffic Street, with most reasonable charges in the evening.
The play features Mary Shelley, as an eighteen-year-old, on stage as she retells her thrilling story of Frankenstein the creator and the monster he creates. This is a story which combines bloodthirsty gruesomeness with tragedy, and which has captured the imaginations of generations through the ages. The theme is as relevant now as it was then, betray your loved ones and it will come back to haunt you.
This creative new adaptation by Rona Munro puts the writer, Mary Shelley, at the heart of the story as she grapples with the monster she has created and with the bare facts of life for radical young women, both at that time and present day. As the play unravels, Munro is faithful to Shelley’s original script, the tension and pace increases and transports the audience on a journey of both emotion and fear.
The leads of the show, Eilidh Loan as Mary Shelley and Ben Castle-Gibb as Frankenstein rise to the challenge with highly convincing performances. Both thespians complement each other to maintain a tense atmosphere with control and commitment, reminding us that silences can be as terrifying as blood curdling sound effects! The monster, strongly and sympathetically played by Michael Moreland, certainly scares the audience – be prepared!
Eilidh Loan is highly engaging and demonstrates superb conviction and strength as she plays the decisive Mary Shelley, undergoing the writing of her novel. The relationship she has with the monster she creates is both complex and thought provoking.
Ben Castle-Gibb captures the essence of Victor Frankenstein with a commanding and well-acted performance.
The cyberpunk, stark staging of the play is effective and adds much to the grim, chilling atmosphere. The highly visual two-storey set and the use of theatrical haze, dry snow effects, loud noises and flashing lights dramatically add to the ambiance of the play, encouraging the audience to use their imagination above all else.
The intimacy of Derby Theatre also adds to the success of the production, with audiences sharing the experience of this exploration of Gothic horror together.
Modern and chilling, a creative and thought-provoking production, Frankenstein is well recommended as a unique adaptation of an early Gothic classic.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15 (booking fees may apply).
Frankenstein is at Derby Theatre from 20-25 January 2020, for more information or book tickets visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01332 593939.
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby, DE1 2NF | 01332 593939
