Title: National Theatre Live: Frankenstein
By: Nick Dear
Director: Danny Boyle
Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch & Jonny Lee Miller
Year Released: 2011
Years I saw it: 2012 & 2013
Summary: The National Theatre, in London, will record certain
performances of their productions and tour them in cinemas around the world. NT Live: Frankenstein is by Nick Dear
and directed by Danny Boyle (who was the creative genius behind the opening
ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics), and stars Benedict Cumberbatch and
Jonny Lee Miller. This play is adapted from Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus – if
you have NOT read it yet, please do and then go see this performance.
Interesting fact: Cumberbatch and Miller both play Victor Frankenstein
and the Creature. There are two separate recordings of this production: one
Cumberbatch plays the Creature and Miller plays Frankenstein, and two they swap
roles – brilliant!
Strangely enough, both actors have also gone on to play in adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. Which, by the way, I highly recommend BBC's Sherlock (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman).
Reasons to see it: Firstly, it is a wonderful adaptation of Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein. Secondly, Boyle’s creativity with set, music, costumes, makeup
and concept (the swapped roles) are worth seeing for themselves. Thirdly, the acting - I
mean Benedict Cumberbatch is probably one of the greatest actors of my time and
you will probably not see him in anything else like this – especially as the
Creature.
Reasons why
you maybe should not see it: Well, it is the story of Frankenstein, so it is not like it is
the most happy-go-lucky story out there because it isn’t in the slightest.
Like I said earlier, if you haven’t read the book first, please do so. It is
relatively short and worth the read. The content matter deals with the
corruption of man – pride, power, murder, lust, etc. There is also some nudity –
for those of you who are affected by that sort of thing.
