Tags
Benedict Cumberbatch, Danny Boyle, Frankenstein, Jonny Lee Miller, Mary Shelley, National Theatre, Nick Dear, science, theatre
A trip to London can be expensive, especially if you include a play in the trip package. However, Fathom Events offers the experience of seeing a show from London’s National Theatre at your local movie theatre. I traveled to the London theatre and back tonight in just a few hours. But more than that, I was transported into the world of Frankenstein’s monster through the amazing writing of Nick Dear, the direction of Danny Boyle, and the talent of lead actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.
The play begins with the unnamed creature’s first moments as he slowly learns how to move and walk. He is quickly met by a beautiful yet harsh world. The story follows that of the original novel by Mary Shelley, which focuses on the voice of the creature and his deep intelligent emotions. It is hard to put into words the powerful performances delivered by both lead actors. Doubly unique is the fact that the lead actors alternate roles for different performances and have come to grasp the emotions driving both the creature and Victor. There are times when you, even from the audience, want to reach out to help the creature find love and other times when you want to help Victor realize the love so close within his grasp.
Beautifully blended with the passion of the characters is the entire experience of costumes, set, and lighting that draws the audience into the story of emotions. The collection of flashing light bulbs suspended on the ceiling captivate the eye with glimmers of stars or blinding flashes of electricity paralleling the magical captivation the creature finds in the world. The scenery changes subtly or abruptly from the bright and pristine to the dark and frightening just as the creature’s new born innocence is dashed by the actions of those unforgiving humans around him.