Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Published Wednesday 27 February 2008 at 11:25 by Caroline Morris

Forget Hollywood’s Boris Karloff, this is Frankenstein as never before. All-consuming, bizarre, abstract, contemporary and extraordinary  movement makes for a very physical production. Lisa Evans has created a haunting production which Laurie Sansom has put his masterly director’s hand to.

Richard Winsor gave a magnificent performance as the monster, with a stunning physical portrayal. Ifan Meredith as Frankenstein, the monster’s creator, was chilling while Georgina Lamb as Mary was haunting in the extreme.

The fear and frustration of Mary’s sister was brilliantly portrayed by Caroline Faber. In stark contrast were Rob Hastie as Frankenstein’s naive friend Henry and Stephen Ventura a heartbroken and much troubled father.

Sadly, there was one very weak link in the performances, that of Saskia Butler as Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s cousin - she looked very wooden and uncomfortable indeed.

This may be a story that is nearly 200 years old, but one only has to see or hear many of today’s news bulletins to recognise some of the frighteningly chilling elements so graphically brought to life on this stage.

The Royal’s Frankenstein is without doubt contemporary creative theatre at its best.