National Theatre Live: Frankenstein

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.

I just saw National Theatre Live premiere on YouTube. Johnny Lee Millar as Victor Frankenstein and Benedict Cumberbatch as The Creature and they were outstanding. The whole cast were flawless and the performances were spellbinding. There was humour and sadness from all the cast. Bravo. 10/10

In the face of progress, there is always fear of the unknown. In that fear, we show our inherent instincts, putting into question the words that the blind man quotes. The creature is born pure, learning from humans everything but retaining, in the end, only hatred. The creature seems to prove that progress contradicts our nature in some capacity. A look at modernity from the eyes of an innocent creature, supposedly not a human. Yet, we contradictory recognise more humanity in him then in the people that don't see him as such.

Victor is one of them. He was able to create a creature who learns the value of being human sooner then him. Frankenstein seeks in the dead what he can't recognise in the living. For he doesn't know how to relate to others, and can't seem to find the value on his wife to be. "She is the perfect wife...", says Victor, not in face of the woman already at his side, but of the "perfect" woman he later creates. Silent, with no purpose but to serve his own.

He asks the creature how if feels to be in love "That's how it feels...?". And so, Victor achieves what, for him, was the unachievable. He finds love, but not by or for himself. And because he doesn't know love, he can't allow his creation to have it. Progress seemed the only answer, and in the end, it is the only thing Frankenstein has. But at what cost?

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

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.)