Bronwyn Fullerton

FRANKENSTEIN- Ensemble Theatre Company

Michael-Ross-as-De-Lacey-and-Lee-Jones-as-The-Creature-in-Frankenstein--photo-by-Heidrun-Lohr-205Mary Shelley was inspired to write FRANKENSTEIN in 1816, on a summer visit to Lake Geneva with her soon to be husband Percy Shelley. They stayed at the house of poet, Lord Byron, who arranged a ghost story competition during their time there.  The longevity of her book is partly due to the influence of her tutor and father William Godwin, a radical philosopher and writer.  Still relevant today is the moral dilemma of inventions of medical science in the field of human genetics and stem cell research.

Nick Dear’s poignant and exciting adaptation of this famous story was first performed at London’s National Theatre in 2011 and is now presented by the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney, directed with innovative precision by co-artistic director, Mark Kilmurry.

The opening scene, the birth of the creature, is a formidable mix of haunting live cello, throbbing lighting, circular transparent curtain, and the extraordinary talents of actor Lee Jones, who grunts and writhes as The Creature, with dysfunctional, hypnotic movements.  The audience is instantly transfixed.

As The Creature is rejected by his creator, Dr Victor Frankenstein, he travels alone innocently, soon to be confronted by hatred and fear from those he meets on his travels – they cannot accept that he is different.

Heartbroken and rejected, he fortunately runs into the blind academic, De Lacey (played with great warmth by Michael Ross) who plays guitar to him, teaches him to read and write and gains his trust as someone who does not judge his appearance. De Lacey convinces him to meet his family and promises the shy creature that he will protect him.  When this doesn’t happen, we see the first violent outburst, the horrifying reality that this creature does not understand socially acceptable behaviour.

The cold, brilliant and singularly driven medical scientist, Victor Frankenstein (played with passion by Andrew Henry) becomes ethically compromised by his invention, leaving us to wonder exactly who is the monster.

The wonderful and talented cast play multiple roles; Katie Fitchett is mesmerising as the Female Creature, and calm and wise as Frankenstein’s wife, Elisabeth. Olivia Stambouliah, Michael Rebetzke and Brian Meegan are also strong and commanding.

The set by Simone Romaniuk is clever and functional.  The actors subtly create sound effects onstage and composer, Elena Kats-Chernin’s music for beautiful cellist, Heather Stratfold, is fabulous and chilling throughout the play.

Nicholas Higgins’ lighting brings great atmosphere to the stage as does the sound design by Daryl Wallis.

Mark Kilmurry is to be congratulated for his vision and imagination in bringing this great piece of theatre to life.

FRANKENSTEIN moves from the Playhouse, Opera House to the Ensemble Theatre from April 17th to May 4th.  It will tour nationally from Canberra on May 7th, then to Victoria, Tasmania, Qld and NSW finishing in Wollongong on August 10.

© Bronwyn Fullerton

Published by Bronwyn Fullerton

Bronwyn Fullerton worked as an actress and singer for over 20 years after training with Hayes Gordon at The Ensemble Theatre Studios in Sydney in the 70s. She has worked for The Ensemble Theatre, Stables Theatre, Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Theatre-in-Education touring, Rocks Theatre at The Sailor’s Home, Balmain Loft, North Coast Theatre Co., Giniby Theatre Co., Bondi Pavilion Theatre and two years with the Marionette Theatre of Australia, including a tour from Alice Springs to Arnhem Land. As well as Film and Television (Chopper Squad) and Voice Overs, Bronwyn worked for the Gate Theatre Club in London and studied mime in Paris. She now teaches ESL English to foreign students and completed a Post-Grad in Film & Video at UTS in 2009/10.