An Amazing Stripped Down Play: Frankenstein

I've seen a lot of plays in my time but any time I have the chance to catch a production of Frankenstein, I take the chance. Considering what my book 'The Midnight Turn' is about, this should come as no surprise to anyone. I'm a massive fan of the story and have indulged in some great (and otherwise) stories inspired by the original classic.

I stumbled on the New Muses production quite by accident when I was out at coffee recently. When I got home, my wife and I immediately decided to get on board for a Friday viewing. I personally expected a very different experience in that I had this vision of a larger space but when we walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. We were able to sit right up front and were pretty damn close to the action. It proved to be one of the most effective uses of this style of theater I'd been to.

The actors brought a hundred percent to their performances, even with the ending winding down. This was the third to the last performance but they still maintained the same passion I would've expected from the first few productions. Two of the actors played multiple roles and each did a respectable job of conveying their alteration through facial expression and body language. The leads, those being the Monster and Victor, were incredible. Their interactions sold the entire story in a major way, making you want to see more of them together.

Their choice of props, music and lighting enhanced the mood. I admit to being moved on several occasions. They built the creature's sorrow and longing to an absolute crescendo and conveyed the emotion of Victor's losses with equal skill. Of all the times I've seen Frankenstein performed, ten in the last twenty years, this is the third one to push me to the point of crying. That unto itself made me an instant fan of these folks.

Great fun, absolutely worth the trip and the visit, if there's any chance at all you can make it to this play before it ends, DO SO! If not, they have some other stories coming up that you should definitely check out. I was not at all disappointed that I took a chance on a group I'd never heard of in a theater I didn't know existed and I don't think you will be either. 

For more information, visit their web site:

www.newmuses.com/frankenstein.html