Just after Halloween and only days after
the anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s classic, Frankenstein is a
show that rattles the bones, stuns the eyes and absolutely bewilders the ears.
With fantastic live and electronic visuals and audio creating contrasting and
complementing one another, the tale of Victor Frankenstein is told in such a
way that remains true to the 1818 novel while also adapting it to suit
feministic and technological modern day contexts.
With the ominous and harrowing atmosphere
firstly created by the live music, a classical piano score, a nod to means of
presenting the story in times past is made, with the lovely sounds echoing into
the very guts of the intimate audience. The graceful and eerily clean look of
the set is also worth note, with a grand piano bringing a sense of luxury and
elegance to the piece while white curtains and strict symmetry give the sense
of being in a hospital. The electronic music worked into the piece also modernizes
the tale and creates fear in a previously unexplored way, with new age dubstep
music creating the booming and loud presence of the creature, a touch which
really elevates the pace and energy of the piece. However it can be argued that segments devoted
simply to music may seem tedious. The use of digital media is done in a way
that seems to have been very carefully executed, with attention to detail in
each image and sound presented. The use of live camera is controlled and
meticulous, ensuring that the technology is not merely plugged in and let do
its job. The voice, action and sound are all inextricably linked and are
effective in driving home the darkness and powerful messages of the text.
The text itself is presented in a simple
manner, with important excerpts from the novel making up 90% of the monologue
and allowing for the design and SFX to take a spotlight. This is a touch which
is effective in ensuring that the piece is not over the top in terms of
modernization and adaptation to stage, with the story telling being still
familiar and modest. The casting of Victor Frankenstein as a female is a bold
choice which is presented to an audience unboastfully, with the sense given
that a woman was cast, not to make any kind of radical statements, but merely
because she was the best suited for the role she was cast with. This is
arguably the most feministic way to present such a change, with modesty and casualness,
not applauding themselves for allowing equal opportunity. Michelle Robin
Anderson’s execution of the role of Victor Frankenstein was true to his time
and nature without feeling out of place in an Australian theatre, as English
accents have the tendency to do. She was powerful and did not over play her
part, knowing that the design and SFX were to be catered for in their
grandness.
Over all, this piece is a stunning and
innovative take of the treasured novel, which was evidently put together with
care and consideration. The mixture of acoustic and electronic, Romantic
language and new technology are worked together seamlessly with an overall
message about power, tragedy and devotion being put forth naturally and
unforgettably.