FRANKENSTEIN | 20 Oct - 8 Nov

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”

In an age where Artificial Intelligence is growing more and more powerful, 200 years on Mary Shelley's gothic thriller about a being created without thought for its future, still has the power to shock and provoke.

This brand new play is adapted and directed by GSC regular collaborator Caroline Devlin (Jekyll & Hyde, King Arthur, King Lear):

"In approaching the adaptation, I was struck (and horrified) by how absolutely Mary Shelley’s vision has been realised by 2025. There is little to change, adapt or even censor. How an 18 year old could understand and interpret the fears of a generation: industrialisation, ecological disaster, the elite abusing power, humanity careering down a dark and irreversible path to destruction, is truly mesmerising.

"I’ve striven to keep absolutely to her story. The only difference being, what was, 200 years ago a fantastical, gothic imagining, is for us now, a fearful reality, the consequences alarmingly real. My driver in this adaptation has been to honour Mary’s story, letting her step into our time and say, “I told you so….”."

Staged within the Victorian splendour of St Nicolas' Church, this new adaptation blends Mary Shelley's terrifying original text with a 21st century understanding of Artificial Intelligence and its endless possibilities.

CONTENT GUIDANCE

Contains themes of romance, hardship and death, including reference to suicide, pedicide and abortion. There are also discussions of creation, both Christian and scientific. The production includes some physical violence.

This production also contain several sequences of flashing lights as well as smoke, theatrical haze, thunder and features adult-life-like dolls.

Content guidance is updated as a production evolves through rehearsals and previews, so please note they may change between booking a ticket and seeing the production.

This production is included in the 2025 Annual Pass

NATASHA BAIN plays Walton, the audience’s touchstone throughout the story, along with eight other characters. She last worked with GSC in our staged reading of Troilus & Cressida (2022). Natasha's other credits include the National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Park Theatre and many seasons with Storyhouse in Chester.

The title role of Victor Frankenstein is played by SAMUEL COLLINGS whose career includes the RSC, Chichester Festival Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe. In 2022, Samuel played every character in our 5-star Jekyll & Hyde, written by Frankenstein adaptor & director Caroline Devlin. He will also play Old Delacey.

DANIEL SCOTT-SMITH is The Creature, having recently been seen in House of the Dragon (Amazon), Dune (Warner Bros.), and Common (National Theatre).

Original story by Mary Shelley
Adapted & Directed by Caroline Devlin
Designed by Neil Irish
Lighting by Mark Dymock
Sound by Matt Eaton
Fight Director Philip d'Orléans
Movement Director Abigail Kessel
Associate Designer & Costume Supervisor Molly Fraser
Production and Company Stage Manager Hannah Walker
DSM Izzy Cox
Rehearsal ASM Katie Bingham
AI Consultant Chris Kissack