The new adaption by Nick Dear of Mary Shelley’s novel FRNAKENSTEIN is not the traditional type of play one associates with the Ensemble Theatre.
In this adaptation the creature is very human like, and indeed, at the start as it comes to life one may wonder if one is attending a play or a physical dance event.
Nick Dear’s adaptation tells the story from the creature’s point of view as it searches for knowledge, an understanding of human relationships and love. Frankenstein is faced with prejudice, hatred and betrayal and much of this, and the associated violence, is presented in stylised form.
Lee Jones as Frankenstein gives an engrossing physical interpretation of deformity and Katie Fitchett as the female creature is the perfect foil in her statuesque beauty.
Andrew Henry is convincing as Victor Frankenstein, the man obsessed by his scientific experiments to create life and Katie Fitchett, who plays a second role as his fiancée, is the woman yearning to create life by natural means.
The other actors, Brain Meegan, Michael Rebetzke, Michael Ross and Olivia Stambouliah have dual or multiple roles which give the play a narrative tale as well as making philosophical comments on the meaning of humanity.
Mark Kilmurry, the director, effectively uses a giant circular curtain to create different scenes and often has simple props or stage effects to represent events.
A cello played by Heather Stratfold on stage adds significantly to the atmosphere.
This production moves from the large stage of the Playhouse at Opera House to the Ensemble on April 17. It will be interesting to see the differences in the production in the much more that more intimate venue where those in the front row are almost part of the play.
I, for one, was happy to be a least a few metres back from the creature!
It is good to see the Ensemble widening its range of plays this year.
I saw this production at a preview. FRANKENSTEIN runs at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera until Saturday 13th April. The production then moves to the Ensemble Theatre where it plays from Wednesday 17th April to Saturday 4th May. The show then tours nationally for three months starting in Canberra from May 7 and then touring to various venues through Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales, finishing in Wollongong on August 10, 2013.
© Maggy Franklin
30th March, 2013
Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- FRANKENSTEIN, Mary Shelley, Nick Dear, Lee Jones, Katie Fitchett, Andrew Henry, Brian Meegan, Michael Rebetzke, Michael Ross, Olivia Stambouliah, Mark Kilmurry, Heather Stratfold, Sydney Arts Guide, Maggy Franklin
