No creature comforts in this gothic horror story
Marking the bicentenary of the creation of Frankenstein, Blackeyed Theatre’s brand new stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror masterpiece embarks on a five-month UK tour.
The show starts in Geneva, 1816 where Victor Frankenstein obsesses in pursuit of nature’s secret, the elixir of life itself. But nothing can prepare him for what he creates. So begins a gripping life or death adventure taking him to the ends of the earth and beyond. Adapted by John Ginman, who penned Blackeyed Theatre’s hugely successful 2013 production of Dracula, Alan Bennett’s Diaries will be screened live at the Macrobert on Wednesday, November 16. This unmissable live event takes a candid look into the mind of Alan Bennett, one of Britain’s best-loved writers, who, at 82, shows no signs of slowing down. The event will include a screening of Alan
Frankenstein at the Macrobert, Stirling
this world premiere fuses bold ensemble storytelling, live music, puppetry and stunning theatricality.
It will call in at the Macrobert on Tuesday (October 25) at 7.30pm.
A unique feature of the production is the use of Bunraku-style puppetry to portray ‘The Creature’. Designed and built by Yvonne Stone (Warhorse, His Dark Materials), the full size 6’4” puppet, which needs up to three people to manipulate it, adds an exciting new dimension to the retelling of the classic story.
Director Eliot Giuralarocca said: “I’m really excited to be directing Frankenstein. It is a taut, gripping thriller, an exciting gothic fairytale for grown-ups and a morality play all rolled into one. It’s always a daunting challenge to attempt to breathe new life into a classic but with a wonderful ensemble cast and a fusion of bold storytelling, music, sound and Bunraku-style puppetry. I’m hoping we can bring Mary Shelley’s gothic fairytale kicking and screaming into life!”
John Ginman said: “Working on this has left me full of admiration for the achievement of the 19-year- old novice writer, who responded to the challenge of inventing a ghost story ‘to curdle the blood, and quicken the Bennett’s Diaries, a new film about the writer, followed by an exclusive Q&A with Alan from his local community library in Primrose Hill.
Inspired by his acerbic and often hilarious diaries, the film shows Alan as he’s never been seen before – following him to New York, the scene of his early triumph in Beyond The Fringe, to accept an award from the city’s Public Library; to Shepherd’s Bush to record an episode of Private Passions for Radio 3 and open up about the importance of music in his life; to his local community-run library in Primrose Hill, which, he despairs, some would rather see turned into a Pizza Hut; to the East beatings of the heart’. This version seeks to provoke thought and discussion around many key issues that have renewed significance for us today including the ethics of genetic experimentation, and the causes of violent behaviour in some marginalised social groups.”
The cast includes Ben Warwick as Victor Frankenstein (seasons at The National Theatre), Max Gallagher as Henry Clerval (James & The Giant Peach), Lara Cowin as Elizabeth Lavenza (The Obfuscati), Louis Labovitch (STOMP! - US tour) and Ashley Sean-Cook (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas).
The production is supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England. Coast railway line, which he’d like to see renationalised, and the village in Yorkshire he calls home. Intimate encounters, filmed over the course of a year, reveal a writer who is bemused by his own popularity and is still as angry and irreverent in his 80s as he was in his 20s.
The show starts at 8pm.