Frankenstein l i v e

At the National Theatre, Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein, adapted by Nick Dear, eschews the excesses of Hammer Horror in favour of the issues in the original Mary Shelley story. The North Yorkshire-based Angus and Ross Theatre Company’s new two-hander has a similar but more focused approach. It is concerned with power, responsibility and love and carries some of Shelley’s political bite. Frankenstein Live is adapted by the television writer Tom Needham and has Dominic Goodwin as the Creature and Emanuel Brierley as his creator Dr Frankenstein. The two actors are well used to working together, having previously appeared in Not About Heroes for Angus And Ross and in productions elsewhere. There is an impressively judged atmosphere of dread throughout, with no suggestion of bathos or unintentional parody. The largely present tense narrative from both actors ensures vivid action and stark soul-searching. Tall, white boards placed in echelon on a bare stage make for startling appearances. Goodwin’s Creature is angry and bitter, lacking guidance and love. When he kills, the guilt is Frankenstein’s. The doctor turns to remorse and regret and the pair reach a sort of redemption. This is a well-crafted production, born of intelligent, measured acting and a collective artistic belief. That the Georgian Theatre Royal, a small theatre in a Yorkshire market town, feels able to be involved in a co-production on a national tour is a cause for rejoicing.