The National Theatre continues to grant us access to free theatre productions with this week’s performance of Frankenstein.
The National Theatre’s next livestream is possibly one of their biggest in terms of names. In this adaptation of Mary Shelley’s beloved novel, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller take turns bringing the quintessential mad scientist and his creature to life under the supervision of top director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and the opening and closing ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic Games).
In case you need a recap, Dr Victor Frankenstein creates his own human, challenging the power of God. With the body of a man and mind of a child, the creature is shunned by all who see it due to its horrific appearance. Frankenstein is made from an amalgamation of various body parts. Over time, the creature starts developing human intelligence and eventually finds Frankenstein even going as far as asking for a bride (as horrid as he is) who he can share his life with.
Of the two versions available, both have their pros and cons. Lee Miller fitted the physicality of the creature, whilst Cumberbatch could still act out the more complicated twitchy movements – especially at the beginning when the creature comes to life (IT’S ALIVE!).
You can tell that Cumberbatch’s experience with motion capture (namely as Smaug in The Hobbit films) drives his acting as the creature. Although I picture Cumberbatch as Frankenstein, since we associate him with often playing the smart guy in the room from his work in Sherlock, The Imitation Game (Playing Alan Turing) and Dr Strange in the MCU.
However, the makeup work on both actors creates a grotesque look, as if they were sewn together like a doll. Some of the best elements of the show included the lighting (done by Bruno Poet who’s other work includes Miss Saigon), best demonstrated by the tons of light bulbs hung above the stage and the music created by the Group Underworld reflecting the industry and innovation context of the play.
Mark Tildesley’s set is simplistic yet adaptable from the use of smaller set pieces such as a fire pit to larger scale constructions and other settings from Lake Geneva to the freezing North Pole.
In conclusion, of the plays The National Theatre has offered for free to us so far, this one was the best so far. Whilst keeping up the fantastic production values, this time I feel all the actors pull their weight and do the best performance they can.
The play’s use of female politics is better in this play, especially when Victor refuses to let his would-be wife/cousin Elizabeth into the world of science thinking she won’t understand because it actually fits within the period.
If you ask which version to check out, I suggest checking out both versions and come to your own conclusion on which is the better Frankenstein and Creature.
Both versions of Frankenstein is available to view on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel for a week starting 7pm Thursday 29th April.
By Stuart McComb
Feature image: inews.co.uk