As a lover of Gothic Literature this was an absolute must see for me. Combining brilliant acting and a world renowned set with the adaptations of one of my favourite books it was with much anticipation that I took myself to see “Frankenstein” streamed live from The National Theatre in London to The Little Theatre Cinema in Bath. I was not disappointed in any sense of the word, rather I was over awed.
It is very rare that a piece of Theatre comes onto the scene that is so magnificent that it leaves you reliving it constantly and being able to utter very few words because you are so dazzled by it, this was one of them. With two of the finest actors Britain has to offer as the leads “Frankenstein” took you into the heart of Mary Shelley’s novel and did not release you even after it had ended.
The night I witnessed this piece of magic Benedict Cumberbatch was in the role of Victor Frankenstein and Jonny Lee Miller in the role of the Creature. It began with a view of the stage and all of its bare light bulbs pulsing as the Creature was, in effect born. And so began the superb standard of acting as Jonny Lee Miller learnt how to walk and move, to see a fully grown man act like he didn’t know how to move was mesmerising, Miller conveyed the joy and terror of movement the Creature experienced to a glorious effect. We then witnessed Miller and Cumberbatch’s stage chemistry as Victor and the Creature which was nothing short of incredible. The cast altogether was very strong but it was Miller and Cumberbatch that totally stole the show, their acting was sublime and though it was being streamed from the National it felt like you were there in body not just in spirit. Utterly captivating and not to be missed at any cost.
