Play Review: National Theatre Live Film of Frankenstein

It may have slipped your attention but for one night only (of the whole year),tonight, a film of the National Theatre's 2011 performance of Frankenstein finally featured at cinemas across the UK. Featuring the acclaimed actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, both actors demonstrate a switch in roles as either Frankenstein or the creature. In tonight's performance I was witness to Benedict's interpretation of the physically inept 'creature', or monster as most people cried out.

It's extraordinary how well Benedict brought this character to life, simply through how he moved and spoke. For at least 10 minutes I was witness to what can only be described as a scene mimicking birth where Benedict was seen crawling from a womb-like screen and left alone to deal with becoming aware of his body and how it was created to move and function. Like a child making it's way into the world, I felt I was watching him grow into something incredible and it was beautiful to see. But you also saw his innocence and fragility and how easily he was affected by what surrounded him as well as how people taught him. I really admired how the company behind this production had structured this play and showed this slow development of the creature's character. I saw his elation at the new world and the surprise to feel new sensations like rain, grass and all the simple things we take for granted. I felt as if I was watching a child exploring a new world. But then I saw how society treated him: with fear, disgust and contempt. People hurt him and for no good reason. He was innocent, a good 'man'. This built pathos and I'll admit I felt close to tears watching this profoundly dramatic performance.

Frankenstein's monster, as we know, was a monster to the characters in the novel. He appeared like one, was treated like one and became one. The theatre production really highlighted the fact it wasn't the creature who was the real monster, it was society; society who had corrupted this character. It was man's world who destroyed his goodness and shaped the evil inside of him. He saw man and learnt from what was before him, believing that's what it meant to be a man. Never had I seen an adaptation of Frankenstein that gave the creature a voice! Never have I seen a production put across Shelley's deep and integral message about society. It almost seems obvious now that she would think of reflecting society through how the creature was treated, considering she was an impressionable young woman who would have had strong beliefs. After all, she lived in a time where corruption hid in the darkest of places, swimming in the streets of England. Being just a year older than I am, she was also just as likely to form a strong opinion against it.

Although good reviews need criticisms to prove it effective I really can't fault this. It was incredible re-enactment of the classic gothic novel which will remain one of my favourite plays for a long time! I think it's also important to mention that for an actor to be able to successfully play a character in such a convincing way as to grab the attention of a theatre full of people, with simply the smallest inclination of their head or averted gaze of their eyes, you know you have a great actor under your hands. It's a real test of talent and Benedict definitely proved his worth!

http://vimeo.com/67405992