Scan barcode
A review by directorpurry
Frankenstein, Based on the Novel by Mary Shelley by Nick Dear
5.0
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
CW: rape, death of a child
{General spoiler warning ahead}
I was fortunate enough to have read [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1381512375l/18490._SY75_.jpg|4836639] for the first time in October 2019, so when I heard the National Theatre was live streaming their 2011 performance of "Frankenstein" with the Nick Dear adaptation script, I knew I had to see it.
Due to the combination of the fantastic acting, the amazing set design, and the excellent adaptation script, it is by far one of the most powerful plays I have seen in my life. (I'm putting it up there with Sarah Ruhl's [b:Eurydice|5661021|Eurydice|Sarah Ruhl|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347730866l/5661021._SY75_.jpg|6520202] and the first time I saw [b:Macbeth|8852|Macbeth|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459795224l/8852._SY75_.jpg|1896522] performed live.)
In fact, immediately after watching the performance, I sought out Dear's script and read it, which is what the rest of this review is based on. (And I'm probably going to watch the performance at least one or two more times before it's taken down.)
I loved Dear's adaptation. I already love Shelley's novel, but I really appreciated the twists that Dear took in his version. While Frankenstein is the focal point of the novel, the narrator who the audience follows, Dear cuts straight to the Creature's tale. Without Frankenstein monopolizing the audience's time, the viewers are more easily able to empathize with the Creature.
While there is still the moral ambiguity of the original novel clearly apparent in the Creature's actions, Dear's take on Frankenstein's character pushes the audience towards a more interesting position of trying to make them take sides. The answer, ultimately, is still the same, stark gray question mark at the end of the play.
I loved it. Oh, I loved this play so much. I desperately want to own a hard copy, though I'm not yet sure where the best place for me to buy it is.
The ending scene was absolutely amazing, hands down my favorite.
Two remarks on the National Theatre's take - in the scene after William's death, they cut short the conversation between Elizabeth and Frankenstein, to its detriment. I thought the original fit her character better. When I was watching, even pre-script reading, I thought she lacked something and gave up the idea of going to England far too easily.
But on the other hand, Dear's script calls for an on-stage rape scene, while the National Theatre cut to black in order to not show it. And honestly, they get much thanks from me. That sequence was difficult enough to watch as it was.
Additional applause to Dear - hearing so many quotes from Milton's [b:Paradise Lost|15997|Paradise Lost|John Milton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526070678l/15997._SY75_.jpg|1031493] all afternoon finally gave me the push I've been waiting for to start reading it, even after it sitting on my bookshelf for a good six or seven years.
CW: rape, death of a child
{General spoiler warning ahead}
I was fortunate enough to have read [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1381512375l/18490._SY75_.jpg|4836639] for the first time in October 2019, so when I heard the National Theatre was live streaming their 2011 performance of "Frankenstein" with the Nick Dear adaptation script, I knew I had to see it.
Due to the combination of the fantastic acting, the amazing set design, and the excellent adaptation script, it is by far one of the most powerful plays I have seen in my life. (I'm putting it up there with Sarah Ruhl's [b:Eurydice|5661021|Eurydice|Sarah Ruhl|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347730866l/5661021._SY75_.jpg|6520202] and the first time I saw [b:Macbeth|8852|Macbeth|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459795224l/8852._SY75_.jpg|1896522] performed live.)
In fact, immediately after watching the performance, I sought out Dear's script and read it, which is what the rest of this review is based on. (And I'm probably going to watch the performance at least one or two more times before it's taken down.)
I loved Dear's adaptation. I already love Shelley's novel, but I really appreciated the twists that Dear took in his version. While Frankenstein is the focal point of the novel, the narrator who the audience follows, Dear cuts straight to the Creature's tale. Without Frankenstein monopolizing the audience's time, the viewers are more easily able to empathize with the Creature.
While there is still the moral ambiguity of the original novel clearly apparent in the Creature's actions, Dear's take on Frankenstein's character pushes the audience towards a more interesting position of trying to make them take sides. The answer, ultimately, is still the same, stark gray question mark at the end of the play.
I loved it. Oh, I loved this play so much. I desperately want to own a hard copy, though I'm not yet sure where the best place for me to buy it is.
The ending scene was absolutely amazing, hands down my favorite.
Two remarks on the National Theatre's take - in the scene after William's death, they cut short the conversation between Elizabeth and Frankenstein, to its detriment. I thought the original fit her character better. When I was watching, even pre-script reading, I thought she lacked something and gave up the idea of going to England far too easily.
But on the other hand, Dear's script calls for an on-stage rape scene, while the National Theatre cut to black in order to not show it. And honestly, they get much thanks from me. That sequence was difficult enough to watch as it was.
Additional applause to Dear - hearing so many quotes from Milton's [b:Paradise Lost|15997|Paradise Lost|John Milton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526070678l/15997._SY75_.jpg|1031493] all afternoon finally gave me the push I've been waiting for to start reading it, even after it sitting on my bookshelf for a good six or seven years.