A new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic Gothic tale, Frankenstein comes to Oxford later this month on the the main stage of the Oxford Playhouse from Thursday February 29, to Saturday March 2.
Created by imitating the dog’s this multimedia exploration of Mary Shelley’s classic novel is a psychological thriller which dares to ask the question – what is it to be human?
The two-hander will feature Georgia-Mae Myers (Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; Wars of the Roses & Henry VI – Rebellion, Royal Shakespeare Company; and Dismissed, Soho Theatre) and Nedum Okonyia (Possession, Arcola Theatre). They play an expectant couple who confront their own fears, recreating a version of Frankenstein that erupts into life as everyday objects are transformed into glaciers, a ship at sea, a cottage in a forest, a dissecting room, a house on fire.
Andrew Quick, Co-Director and Artistic Director of imitating the dog, said:
“Mary Shelley’s novel has shaped storytelling since the 19th Century and provided source material for films, novels, poems, and art. Having already adapted Heart of Darkness (2018) and Dracula (2021), we feel ready to take on this complex and moving tale, one which explores the consequences of refusing love, of playing at being God, of not taking responsibility.
“It will have all the hallmarks of an imitating the dog production, but we are renewing our interest in the physical and the visual that played out in our earlier work. Our focus is to create something truly magical, that is both moving and disturbing. It will be Frankenstein, but perhaps not as you know it.”
Tickets for Frankenstein at Oxford Playhouse start from £14 and are available from Box Office by calling 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com.
The original Frankenstein novel
Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Shelley when she was just 18 years old and was first published in 1818, considered to be one of the first science fiction novels and is a blend of Gothic horror and Romanticism.
The story revolves around Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a creature using various body parts and brings it to life. The creature, often referred to as “Frankenstein’s monster,” is initially depicted as a hideous and grotesque being.
The story is told through a combination of first-person narratives and letters exchanged between characters, and explores themes like the pursuit of knowledge, the consequences of playing God, and the nature of humanity. The novel raises questions about the ethics of scientific experimentation and the responsibility of creators for their creations.
The novel has had a significant cultural impact and has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and other forms of media. Even if you have not read the books, it’s easy to picture a mad scientist in a laboratory with electricity crackling.
Frankenstein notebooks are held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
Who was Mary Shelley?
Mary Shelley was born on August 30, 1797, in London, England, and was the daughter of political philosopher William Godwin and feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft. Shelley’s mother died shortly after her birth, and she was raised by her father and stepmother.
At the age of 16, Mary Shelley began a romantic relationship with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who later became her husband. In 1816, during a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, Mary conceived the idea for her most famous work, “Frankenstein.” The novel was published anonymously in 1818 and explored themes of science, morality, and the nature of humanity.
Mary Shelley went on to write other novels, including “The Last Man” and “Lodore,” but none achieved the same level of success as “Frankenstein.” She also edited and promoted her husband’s poetry after his death in 1822.
Mary Shelley died in London on February 1, 1851, at the age of 53. She left behind a significant literary legacy and is considered one of the pioneering figures in science fiction.
