Billowing smoke fills Princess Theatre’s stage space as we settle into our seats awaiting Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s large-scale, dramatic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein, which debuted at QPAC last year.
This dramatisation stays faithful to Shelley’s seminal work of gothic literature, but a modern sensibility is utilised and production elements dazzle throughout.
The use of fire and pyros add an element of danger and when a character appears, seemingly out of nowhere, following a lightning-strike effect, we’re awestruck. Striking footage on the multi-panel digital backdrop adds an overall feeling of suspense and dread. And a circular travelator is also used to great effect within Josh McIntosh’s moving set.
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From the get-go, however, Guy Webster’s dynamic sound design often drowns out dialogue. At times we even wish the cursive text – which materialises over visuals as though it’s being penned in real time – were subtitles.
Reprising the role of Victor Frankenstein for this Shake & Stir production, the chisel-featured Darcy Brown’s perennially troubled portrayal is fitting. His character’s ‘secret’ lurks in the shadows, a monster of his own creation gradually inching closer. Abandoned by his creator, and deprived of love and human connection, the Creature now seeks revenge.
Jeremiah Wray also reprises his role, using impressive feats of physical strength to make the Creature legit frightening. When he awakens on a centre stage gurney – amidst much pyro-enhanced chaos – his supine hip thrusts channel Billy Idol. But the standout performance this evening comes courtesy of Chloé Zuel (Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s bride), who is best known for originating the role of Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton. Her magnetic stage presence and sensitive, believable portrayal ensures she regularly pulls focus.
Frankenstein’s themes are extremely relevant to many humans at present, especially those freaking out about AI. Added warning for the squeamish: this production of Frankenstein contains some chillingly realistic bone-snapping sounds and murder/death scenes.
Frankenstein runs at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre until 1 September.
