FRANKENSTEIN

Derby

A WRITER who has contributed episodes to both classic and contemporary series of Doctor Who has adapted the classic gothic horror Frankenstein – and it’s coming to Derby Theatre.

In this new adaptation of the book, awardwinning Rona Munro puts author Mary Shelley in amongst the action.

Munro wrote the very last serial of the “classic” Doctor Who run – Survival, starring Sylvester McCoy as The Doctor – in 1989 and returned in 2016 to write the episode The Eaters Of Light, for Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. She is the only person ever to write for both versions of the show.

She also wrote the award-winning historical stage trilogy The James Plays for the National Theatre of Scotland and the scripts for Ken Loach’s film Ladybird, Ladybird (1994), Oranges And Sunshine (2010) – based on the true story of Nottingham social worker Margaret Humphreys, who uncovered a scheme to forcibly relocate poor children to Australia and Canada, and directed by Loach’s son Jim – and the 1999 German film Aimée & Jaguar.

Scottish screen actress Eilidh Loan (right) takes the role of Shelley, who, onstage, unfolds her monstrous tale of creature and creator.

Eighteenyear-old Mary Shelley dreams up a monster whose tragic story will capture the imaginations of generations to come.

A young scientist by the name of Frankenstein breathes life into a gruesome body. Banished into an indifferent world, Frankenstein’s creature desperately seeks out his true identity, but the agony of rejection and a broken promise push him into darkness. Dangerous and vengeful, the creature threatens to obliterate Frankenstein and everyone he loves, in a ferocious and bloodthirsty hunt for his maker.

Frankenstein comes to Derby Theatre, Monday, January 20, until Saturday, January 25. Tickets: derbytheatre.co.uk Box office: 01332 593939. Prices: From £15.