Frankenstein

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Introduction | Details | Poster | Cast and Crew | Music

The details on these pages are taken from the Frankenstein programme, published September 1999. Therefore, some of the information may be out of date.

Introduction

The story of Frankenstein, originally written by Mary Shelley and published in 1818, has been interpreted in many ways. Perhaps the most familiar is Boris Karloff's portrayal of the Monster in a series of motion pictures made in the 1930's. Although more recent renditions have attempted to draw more closely on the actual text of the novel in their realisation of the Creature (notably Mary Shelley's Frankenstein), directed by Kenneth Brannagh and starring Robert de Niro as Frankenstein's creation), it is the image made famous by Karloff and his director James Whale which has remained synonymous with this most famous of the Gothic novel.

This latest version uses the character of Clerval, Doctor Frankenstein's friend, in the role of narrator. Through his eyes we see Frankenstein's relentless efforts to re-create life through galvanism, efforts which lead to his rejection by the university where he works, to grave-robbery, and to the selfish denial of a woman who loves him. The challenge of restoring life to inanimate matter - in short to dare to achieve what only God (in the opinions of both ecclesiastical and scientific institutions) should achieve - drives Victor Frankenstein on. But his ideas have no place in the orthodox society of Ingolstadt and through the jealousy and cynicism of his colleagues at the University he is thwarted and frustrated. Thus, with the only source of raw material for his experiments being the grave or the charnel-house, he is pitted not only against the forces of nature but also against those of the law.

Yet Victor realises his goal, watched by Clerval. So involved is Victor with his enterprise that he does not notice Clerval's interest in his wife, Elizabeth. And Elizabeth, in turn, loves only Victor. Into this tangled net of deceit, violations of the law, and non-conformity, Frankenstein's 'Creature' is born...

Written and directed by Anthony Gears almost exactly ten years ago, Frankenstein has never been more relevant. In an age where organ transplant from animal to man is becoming commonplace, where food and children can be "genetically modified", where cloning and cryogenic freezing have leaped from the pages of Science Fiction, surely attempts to conquer death cannot be far away. And if such an attempt is made, which side should we be on? The underlying themes, ideas and warnings of Frankenstein have serious implications for us all.

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Details

List of Scenes

Part I

  1. Graveyard, Ingolstadt

  2. Ingolstadt University Teaching Hospital

  3. Frankenstein's House

  4. Town Hall, Ingolstadt

  5. Street, Ingolstadt

  6. The Gypsy Camp

  7. Frankenstein's Laboratory

  8. Outside Ingolstadt Church

  9. Frankenstein's Laboratory

Interval (15 minutes) - Refreshments available

Part II

5 Years Later

  1. Ingolstadt Town Centre

  2. Frankenstein's House

  3. The Forest

  4. Graveyard, Ingolstadt

List of Songs

Part I.

1.    Overture

2.    God of Gods: A Hymn ....   Ensemble

3.    Frankenstein's Theme (I Am God).... Frankenstein

4.    Prove Your Theories (Doctor Frankenstein).... Krempe/ Students

5.    Does He Love Me? .... Elizabeth

6.    What're You Gonna Do About It? .... Townspeople

7.    'Neath a Gypsy Moon ....  Gypsy Chorus

8.    Give My Creature Life .....  Frankenstein

9.    Frankenstein (Get Out Of Here) .....  Ensemble

Part II

Overture

10.    Come On And See The Show.....   Gypsy Chorus

11.    Trio.....   Clerval, Frankenstein, Elizabeth

12.    Maria's Theme (Dance)

13.    Now's The Time For Us To Stand Together/                        What're You Gonna Do About It (Reprise).....   Townspeople

14.    No Matter What.....  Elizabeth

15.    Death Holds No Fear .....   Frankenstein

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Gallery

Frankenstein Poster

Music (by Anthony Gears) - NOT YET AVAILABLE
All files in MP3 format 

Does he love me? (Lead vocal - Harmony Gears) - 1.3 mb

No matter what (Lead vocal - Harmony Gears) - 1.4 mb

Frankenstein Overture - .6 mb

Give My Creature Life - 1.5 mb

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