Frankenstein at The National

Benedict Cumberbatch as the Monster!

Performed in the Olivier Theatre, I knew I just had to watch Benedict in action as the monster and how he portrayed the misunderstood creature. In the beginning he gave an extraordinary, yet disturbing performance where the monster had just come to life. He was like a new born, contouring his body and strenuously moved his limbs in order to figure out how to walk. I was drawn to him, not able to look away, his large frantic moments, his cries, groans and moans escaping his unused most likely dry, tough, tight throat.

He had a child like innocence, needing someone to turn to, no one complying with his wish to understand his situation. Seeing my most favorite actor struggle as a character in a play or film will always hurt me deeply but I can’t help but love the power and drive as well as the hard work he puts into a character making it significantly unique and his own!

Comparing

No actor is the same, people are noticed because of their different strengths and abilities. I watched certain scenes from Jonny Lee Miller’s version as the monster and his portrayal of the monster had a clear crisp difference to Benedict’s. Miller’s stockier build compared to Ben’s, made him feel more stiff and upright, like how many people would see the original Frankenstein’s monster. Perhaps it was an artistic choice and suited him better rather then trying to compete with his coworker; trying to hard to be the same. What is the fun in trying to compare like for like when the audience can be dragged in because of the different portrayals.

Benedict didn’t feel as threatening when he appeared on stage, nor was I scared of him. He felt very light on his feet, wandering the space more clumsily then heavy footed in the beginning. His exaggerated facial expressions and distorted movement was so eye catching, I couldn’t take my eyes off him but there was also something about him that gave off a great vibe of power. This was made clear when he choked Frankenstein so effortlessly, continuing to speak as the man struggled in his grasp. Almost as if he didn’t realise his own strength!

Benedict’s version I found to be very cute, he was a fast learner but when something new arrived upon him, he would turn into this clueless child, curious to know what it was. He had no real understanding of right from wrong.

Slurred language. Having to force yourself not to speak out in normal sentences, must have been a real challenge for Benedict to maintain. He pulled it off brilliantly, you could really tell he was trying to move and get his mouth round the words like as if he had peanut butter or a toffee in his mouth the whole time.

I also want to add in how the child actor who played as Victor Frankenstein’s younger brother was incredible, I won’t lie, finding a good child actor where they actually perform to a high standard and isn’t just for tricks and a cheap laugh is hard! So hats off to him for in impressive performance!

Some of my favorite lines that reflected our world even in the modern day have stuck with me!

Ones like:

“A vision of perfection,” every human wishes to be perfect, however it is something we just cannot reach. We are only human and we will make mistakes, but ones we can learn from!

“I follow nature into her lair, and I stripped her of her secrets,” Victor has messed with forces beyond his control all in the name of science showing how mad he really had become, to prove to the world there it more then just what lies on the surface!

“I have brought torments of light into a darkening world,” Victor believes he’s bring hope to the world, one that is suffering, yet he risks his own happiness for it. In the end is it really worth it when life on earth is so short?

Acceptance

Belief

Life and death

Symbolism

Love

Hate

Human Nature

Different

Misunderstood

Right

Wrong

Sanity

Insanity

The monster wasn’t born a monster, he was created throughout his life by misguidance, hatred, fear, confusion, regret, belief. Just because one may look different, or be different it doesn’t mean to say they are bad. The monster tired to be the same as humans but learned quickly he’d never be accepted, they detested him.

Trying to find happiness even through all his pain and suffering, the monster wanted to be good, he tried and tried but everything in his dream world of happiness was shattered. It all went back to his master, who made out he despised him, wanted nothing to do with him. Yet by the end of the play, he was all he had left.

Purpose

Desire

Shame

By far one of the most emotional, heart clenching, fascinating, thrilling shows I have watched in a good while! Benedict and Miller couldn’t have done it any better, they worked amazingly well together as well! A brilliant story line and overall a unique experience!