Review of This Year’s Sixth Form Production of ‘Frankenstein’
“All I ask is the possibility of love”
We hope you had the opportunity to join us in the Seckford Theatre last week for our Sixth Form production of Frankenstein; a play by Nick Dear, based on the 18th Century novel by Mary Shelley, that was performed for the first time in the National Theatre in 2011. Tickets sold out fast, so if you didn’t, we’re incredibly excited to share our review of this magnificent show, which had the audience captivated from start to finish.
A deliberately yet incredibly effective minimalist stage was brought to life abruptly with the instant introduction of Victor Frankenstein’s Creature, to a back drop of flashing light and vibrant, disruptive but sensational sound. As this first scene pierced every sense, the audience were introduced to a terrifying but captivating character, our minds catching up subconsciously with the well-known story of Frankenstein, understanding that the Creature had just been created and knowing the grizzly back story all too well.
The Creature captivated the audience throughout, as you understood and sympathised with its story of torment, lack of acceptance, fear and frustration at the world around – while also feeling such compassion it almost brought a tear to the eye in certain scenes, as you learned how it longed to love and be loved and saw how people feared it and so hated and hunted it.
As different characters were introduced, all performed effortlessly and perfectly, scenes transitioned with light, sound and beautifully precise choreography. Alongside the incredible performances of the actors, simple changes of light and sound suggested what time of day and year the story had travelled to, and you almost forgot the simplicity of the stage as your imagination built the scenes around the actors, such was their elegance and brilliance.
The well-known story unravels, each scene and actor sharing a different part in an elegant, graceful and captivating way. From start to finish the story was fast-paced, effortless yet perfectly performed. The choreography was beautiful, mechanical and subtle, as were the lighting and sound effects. The effort put into this performance by the actors and the School’s Drama creative team so wonderful you would forgive yourself for having forgotten that you were sat in the School’s Seckford Theatre, rather than in London in the National Theatre where this adaptation was first performed.
Despite the horror and grotesqueness of the details of the story, lurking behind these scenes there are two love stories – that of Elizabeth and Victor and then that of the Creature and Victor. Both very different in their nature, but fundamentally so similar in so many underlying ways – our Creature seeks acceptance, affection, love and respect, and we see that mirrored in the relationship between our betrothed couple, Elizabeth and Victor.
With no interval the entire experience was immersive and captivating. Quite possibly one of the saddest and most terrifying love stories ever seen in this wonderful adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, by the end you’d be forgiven for wondering, who is actually the Monster in this play – Victor or his creation?
Bravo to everyone involved, and huge thanks to everyone who came to support and see our Sixth Form production. It’s certain to be a performance that’s talked about and remembered, stays front of mind and lingers in the thoughts of those who were lucky enough to see it.
Our Sixth Form production can only happen with our entire community’s co-operation and kindness. Enormous thanks and congratulations to our exceptionally talented creative team, to all of our teachers and other members of staff as well as every single student involved in this year’s performance in various ways – big or small, on stage, in the wings or as part of the School supporting everyone throughout auditions and rehearsals. Special mention too, to our young Design students, Year 11’s Lexi, Laura and Selena, along with Year 13’s Lola and Elina, who worked together and created the amazing programme for the performances; a culmination of five students’ creativity and talent brought together to illustrate their vision of the Creature in line with an overall brief.
Photo credit: Mike Kwasniak
Many thanks to Andrew Clarke for coming along to watch the performance, and for his review which you can read at suffolkonstage.co.uk/reviews/frankenstein
