The World Première Adaptation of Frankenstein Revived by Morris Panych is one of the more innovative productions I’ve seen at the Avon Theatre at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario. It is based on Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and presents the story as if she is writing the book and directing the characters with her pen on stage.
I’d say about half of the audience was made up of high school students who were probably studying Shelley’s novel. It certainly does help to be familiar with the storyline as, unlike most plays, it is totally devoid of dialogue. To quote the director, “(t)he production incorporates sound and movement that moves beyond literature into pure emotive expression. The story is told in a way that allows for the voiceless to be heard”. Shelley wrote Frankenstein almost 200 years ago, “at a time when women had no voice” in society. The performers and the music carry the story along to thunderous applause at the end. It was very well received! I have to admit though, I did miss the dialogue.
For this play, and a few others at the end of the season, I purchased my ticket just before the performance so got a good seat for half price. I checked on line before heading to Stratford to make sure there were tickets still available. The Avon Theatre is downtown where there is ample parking either on the street or in a number of parking lots. The Cooper lot on St. Patrick Street is free and is in walking distance to the downtown theatres.
