Frankenstein - the play.

There will probably be spoilers her - but if you don't know the story of Frankenstein already - I weep for you.

Most people who know me are aware that I love me a good (or maybe even not so good) horror movie.
When I heard that the National Theatre  was going to broadcast their version of Frankenstein, I was very excited.
I love the theatre, I love the UK, I love going to movies, I love horror movies , I love popcorn... It sounded like the perfect night out.
It also helps that I have a tiny crush on the actors ;) Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. These actors also reversed their roles so that one night one would play creature and the next they would play Victor. It really seemed to work for this play. 

I planned  for weeks to see this broadcast . I even changed my schedule at work for it. Then the night before BLAM. Sick.

At 9pm that night I was hit by the worst headache ever. I almost fell over. It honestly felt like I was literally hit by something. I couldn't even move my head. I was so afraid I almost went to the hospital. I even threw up. I took the day off work. I worse sunglasses in the house and slept the whole day . I am pretty sure it was a migraine .

What about Frankenstein? I was feeling terrible  but I was determined not to miss this play. I actually went with my mother to the theatre and watched this play. I almost didn't make it  but I will not let  a stupid headache and nausea  keep me from what I love .

The play starts with an unnatural birth. The set was very bare . A circular false womb is on the stage . It begins with a slight movement  and builds until the Creature is born. It is slightly disturbing  and seems wrong. The newborn Creature falls to the ground  and begins to experience  the sensations of the world. His limbs twitch and movie with his new life. He tries to move - and fails. It is a lengthy ( perhaps a wee bit too lengthy ) and painful process. Movement, failure, trying again until he succeeds in standing and walking. He is   much like a small child  in this. The first  months and years of a child's development is  captured in these moments . He does not understand  anything . Not even himself but he is alive and the sensations of life  please him.

His maker discovers him and  casts him out . Victor is both feeling gleefully victorious over winning this battle with Nature and God  and yet horrified  but the  product . He is a man who spends his time  trying to  break the limits of what Man can do  and never stops to think if it is something Man SHOULD do. There is no thought to consequence. He wanted to create life from a death  but never really wanted  to make a man. A being  of thought , emotion and need. The experiment, the victory is all. The product be damned.

They go their separate ways. From this moment on you see that they are each others equal and opposite. Victor is a recluse. Obsessed with science  and his own power. Creature's world is about experience, emotions- the quest for love. Love is something Victor doesn't understand. It is not a quantifiable thing. You can't figure it out with an equation. Love is a low priority  in Victor's life.
Creature is looking for  acceptance and happiness  where Victor only cares about how clever he is.Victor doesn't care about the pain he causes . His ends justify his means. He never tries to make amends - he only causes more pain and destruction. Creature causes much destruction and pain himself  but it is what he has learned in his short time with Man and while he knows what he has done is wrong  (and I believe him when he says he is sorry for these actions) he continues  destruction because he feels  it is what he has to do.

The other characters in this play  are basically there to move the story of Victor and creature forward.  The actors are quite good and I enjoyed there little scraps of dialogue. I wish there had been more. It is perhaps  a bit forgivable in this instance when you have such a strong story between the leads . Sometimes  something has to give  in a play and  their parts and the bulk of  Victor's story are the victims of this.

A few exceptions stood out . Elizabeth - I enjoyed her portrayal  and wished there was more of it. She was a good person. Better  than Victor by far. He does not appreciate the gem he has with her. He does not appreciate  or understand her love. She surprises him with her acceptance. She could have been the person to save both Creature and Victor  had she been given the chance.

The old blind man was also beautifully portrayed . He gave some depth and kindness in the play. He made you almost believe things could be different for Creature.

I also want to give a shout out to Ella Smith . She  was lovely and I was so please to see her working the stage . She had a very small role but I enjoyed it nonetheless . She made me smile. (Played Gretel and Clarice) .

What Creature did to Elizabeth was horrifying and inexcusable . It raised conflicting emotions. I certainly understood why he did what he did  but he was so wrong to do it . It hurt to see that .

Still at his heart Creature was not evil . He was angry and wounded.  He  tried so many times to be better .He failed . In the end his heart still held love for his creator . More love than hate . I believe he could have found love and acceptance in the world  but the only  one he really wanted those things from was his creator who was unable fully understand those things himself  let alone give them to someone else.

In the end Victor became the monster . He could have learned so much from his Creature if he had only  opened his heart . Creature was more human than he ever seemed to be.

I envy the people who got to see this play in person. It was wonderful and painful. I recommend it to everyone .
4.5 out of 5 stars