National Theatre Live: Frankenstein

I have always been a big fan of Frankenstein. Jonny Lee Miller was fantastic. I was sick and in constant pain, I had problems in my personal life, but he gave me a month of catharsis. It was a joy despite the pain. He was a wonderful creature. I have felt loneliness, anger, despair, ostracism, hope. Since I've seen the show with him, I haven't watched any other adaptations. It feels absolutely perfect. I thank for him.

(Unfortunately my English is not good. I use Deepl translator.)

First of all the experience of "almost" being there was really unique... the sound in the cinema was up nice and loud so you really FELT the sound like you would in the theatre.... and what a brilliant way for thousands of people to enjoy the performances of the National Theatre....

Okay so now on to the play itself... WOW!!! The set design and staging were wonderful, innovative, with minimalist hints of all the locales... Danny Boyle's direction was inspired and energetic...but the ACTING, well really something to behold...

The premise here is an actor's dream.. the actors switch nightly in playing the roles of Victor and the Creature. This is truly inspired, especially since the characters are each a side of the other. Before the performance there was a short behind-the-scenes film, and Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch talked about how they approached the roles... but seeing is believing.. The performance I saw was with Cumberbatch at the Creature and Miller as Victor Frankenstein.. both were very good, but the show belongs to the Creature... and Cumberbatch was INCREDIBLE! the sheer physical demands of the performance had me tired just watching!! The play really focuses on the Creature's growth from stumbling, grunting "thing" to a fully-formed thinking being. "Frankenstein" is one of my favorite novels and I think I have seen just about every film adaptation, and at least one other stage version. Highly recommended!!!

A VERY INTERESTING LOOK FROM DANNY BOYLE'S EYES OF THE TORTURED, MISUNDERSTOOD, " MONSTER". BRAVO!

Remember studying Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' in school in falling in love with it, its prose, the unforgettable characters, the atmosphere and individual scenes like the scene with Felix. Of the film incarnations and Frankenstein/creature pairings, my favourites will always be Colin Clive/Boris Karloff ('Bride of Frankenstein' being even better than their 1931 original film) and Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee.

It was very interesting to me hearing that 'Frankenstein' had been adapted to stage, part of me was conflicted as to whether that particular book would translate well to stage. The casting of Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch as Frankenstein and the creature was interesting to say the least. But being someone who loves going to the National Theatre Live productions and find the series fascinating, decided to cast any reservations aside. And am very glad about making that decision, as it turned out to be surprisingly excellent.

Did think though that the supporting cast were not on the same level as the leads. The exceptions being Naomie Harris' sincere Elizabeth and the touching Felix of Daniel Millar. Do agree that William was pretty feeble.

On the other hand, there is a lot right with this 'Frankenstein'. There is a lot of atmosphere in the sets and lighting, dark and gothic without being too austere. Given full impact by the skillful photography that is cinematic worthy even. The dark and poignant drama of the story are brought out in an energetic and intelligent manner, the mountain cave scene being particularly great.

With this production of 'Frankenstein', did find myself biting my nails and also found myself welling up. It never feels like there's too many people on stage or that there's too little going on. The dialogue flows beautifully and the story has brains and soul. What makes this 'Frankenstein' especially worth seeing. Jonny Lee Miller brings authority and mystery to Frankenstein but it's Benedict Cumberbatch's creepy yet poignant creature who steals the show here. They reverse roles too, and that is interesting as well. Cumberbatch as Frankenstein is authoritative and Miller's creature is somewhat softer while far from being bland, he's still unsettling enough.

All in all, great. 9/10

An intense, must-see thrilling performance from both Cumberbatch and Miller. The dialogues filled with static chemistry, a beautiful and perfect mix between beauty and horror, a destabilized yet animated stage that shows all facets of life and death. A hypnotizing and cutting-edge play, a real work of art that is absolutely not to be missed.