The first “grown-up” theatre that I ever experienced* was a 1974 Vancouver Playhouse production of Frankenstein, starring Norman Browning and directed by Christopher Newton. (And the fact that I actually remembered those names points to how eye-opening an experience it was for me.)
Fast-forward a lot of years, and I’ve just experienced another stage Frankenstein. This one was a version directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) currently playing to sold-out houses at London’s National Theatre. The NT has been broadening its audience by broadcasting plays internationally live or semi-live via movie theatres (à la what has been done with opera for a few years now).
This Frankenstein is notable for its stars Benedict Cumberbach (the very model of a modern major sociopath in Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (best known on this side of the pond as Sick Boy in Boyle’s Trainspotting) alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, whom Danny Boyle saw as two halves of the same being. Despite the extensive cast the play is very much a two-man show, and the two actors are the real reason to see it—amazingly bravura performances, especially in the role of the Creature, who dominates the first half.
Of great interest to me was the focus on the Creature’s development in coordination and cognition—he starts out as a helpless “infant” (in all but physical build), but quickly progresses to moving and walking. Later he learns to talk, read and think; which makes his rejection by his creator—and humanity—much more tragic. Even though the Creature becomes reasonably articulate and agile, he comes across a bit like a person with cerebral palsy—slurring his words, with his hands at odd angles and a not-quite-perpendicular gait.
The staging comes across very well on the movie screen, managing to be minimalist and yet impressive at the same time, with much effective use of lighting and music. Though I do have to admit that I’m envious of London theatre-goers, since the production would be incredibly visceral in the flesh—something you don’t quite get in a broadcast.
The broadcast I saw yesterday had Cumberbach as the Creature; the play will be re-broadcast (this time with Miller as the Creature) at various Cineplex theatres across the country on March 31st. Don’t miss it!
And if anyone in Toronto needs someone to see it with, give Peter a call!
* As opposed to the endless “Disney on Ice” extravaganzas I forced my mother to endure. Sorry for that, Mom.↩