The National Theatre – Frankenstein. (Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature)
Read this before you watch the performance.
About the Production:
This production of Frankenstein was first performed at the National Theatre in 2011. The production was directed by Danny Boyle and Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternated the roles of Victor Frankenstein and The Creature. Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel was adapted for the stage by Nick Dear.
Unless you’ve read the novel, you might imagine Frankenstein to be a green monster with bolts in the side of his head. This is not the case. Frankenstein, is actually the name of the creator of the “monster”. The creature hasn’t got a name, he has very little identity because of this, and several other reasons. He is rejected and he is left to work out how to move, speak, survive and fend for himself.
There are many themes and ideas behind this story, like:
• Prejudice towards people who look different • Feeling unwanted – outcast - abandoned • Sadness / loneliness • Power – when it is misused • “Playing God” / interfering with mother nature • Education - who is educated and who is not • Friendship – and lack of friendship • Revenge • Feeling isolated and left out of society • Love and feeling unloved • The importance of identity and knowing who you are • Being abandoned • Fear • Status and class • Empathy – or lack of empathy • Human rights • The importance of kindness
The National Theatre – Frankenstein - Task set
You will need to use the login details below to help you to access the recording if you need to watch and revise it. I will send you the login details on SMH. There are some resources below that will give you some ideas about what to focus on as you watch. There are also some extension tasks too.
The National Theatre – Frankenstein. (Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature)
Benedict Cumberbatch shows incredible characterisation skills as the creature! From the moment at the start when the creature is “born” through all of the other changes that this character goes through; as he learns about his surroundings, himself, his master and life itself. He delivers a very physical performance and this role is very different to the character that he played of Sherlock Holmes! Use the space below to make comments about how he uses his voice and movement in this production. Give some examples to support what you say.
What impact did Benedict’s performance have on you, did you feel sorry/empathy towards the creature at any points in the story? Why/why not?
Fill in this chart below about the live theatre elements (you did some reading/revision about these in yesterday’s lesson). Add as much detail as you can.
The National Theatre – Frankenstein. (Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature)
Theatre Description of this element in Frankenstein. Your opinion. What you liked or disliked about the element and Plus what it could help the audience to live theatre (set/costumes/lighting/sound) element design understand (ie time period, atmosphere, visual and why. impact, themes, time of day/year etc) Set and (Flats, Levels, Set changes…) props – by the set designer
Costumes (Style, time period, colours, fabric, why they suit the characters…) - by the costume designer
(Visual impact, highlighting significant Lighting moments, fade, brightness/darkness…) – by the lighting designer
(Live sound, pre-recorded sound, music…) – Sound produced by the sound designer
Optional/Extension task:
• Watch the other Frankenstein production with Jonny Lee Miller as the creature and Benedict Cumberbatch as Frankenstein. Then compare the performances. • For those of you that want to find out more, further reading, watching and research follow this link to the education pack/video links.