Frankenstein!
Mar. 17th, 2011 04:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mesmiranda(Also known as, my friend Katherine is thoroughly and completely awesome. XD)
Running out in an hour or so to see it at my local theatre--will report more later!
EDIT (somewhat late, also spoilers):
Benedict Cumberbatch, why so much win.
I haven't had--and probably won't have--the chance to see Jonny Lee Miller in the role of the Creature, but I'm not exaggerating (or biased!) when I say that Benedict carried the entire production. He talked in the short pre-show documentary behind-the-scenes thing they had about studying stroke survivors who have to recoordinate their limbs and speech, and it really showed. The jerky galvanized movements, the unfocused stammer-slur--one of the gentlemen I talk to on the bus regularly has that same slow, careful speech, and he nailed it. You could really see it, and it was amazing and horrifying and heartbreaking. So good.
The staging was really, really interesting. I was curious to see what Danny Boyle, who uses a lot of film 'tricks' in his movies--split-screen, close-up, weird perspective shots--would do for theatre, and you could recognize his style. The whole almost-chandelier overhead--a bunch of suspended glowing lanterns--representing lightning and flashing blindly as the poor Creature writhed around; the round red 'womb' that the Creature and his mate emerged out of (and her death, the blood everywhere, oh my God). Even the pace felt really similar to Boyle's films.
The music was... a bit weird at points, but fitting--I'm sorry Boyle didn't bring A.R. Rahman over to do the scoring. The whole 'birth' scene went on a bit too long, and Victor's role is underwritten (although Jonny Lee Miller does a fine job)--but really, ultimately, it's not his story. It's the Creature's. And Benedict does it brilliantly.
Three thumbs up. ;)
No, subconscious, I am not writing a crossover fic oh DAMMIT.
Running out in an hour or so to see it at my local theatre--will report more later!
EDIT (somewhat late, also spoilers):
Benedict Cumberbatch, why so much win.
I haven't had--and probably won't have--the chance to see Jonny Lee Miller in the role of the Creature, but I'm not exaggerating (or biased!) when I say that Benedict carried the entire production. He talked in the short pre-show documentary behind-the-scenes thing they had about studying stroke survivors who have to recoordinate their limbs and speech, and it really showed. The jerky galvanized movements, the unfocused stammer-slur--one of the gentlemen I talk to on the bus regularly has that same slow, careful speech, and he nailed it. You could really see it, and it was amazing and horrifying and heartbreaking. So good.
The staging was really, really interesting. I was curious to see what Danny Boyle, who uses a lot of film 'tricks' in his movies--split-screen, close-up, weird perspective shots--would do for theatre, and you could recognize his style. The whole almost-chandelier overhead--a bunch of suspended glowing lanterns--representing lightning and flashing blindly as the poor Creature writhed around; the round red 'womb' that the Creature and his mate emerged out of (and her death, the blood everywhere, oh my God). Even the pace felt really similar to Boyle's films.
The music was... a bit weird at points, but fitting--I'm sorry Boyle didn't bring A.R. Rahman over to do the scoring. The whole 'birth' scene went on a bit too long, and Victor's role is underwritten (although Jonny Lee Miller does a fine job)--but really, ultimately, it's not his story. It's the Creature's. And Benedict does it brilliantly.
Three thumbs up. ;)
No, subconscious, I am not writing a crossover fic oh DAMMIT.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-19 05:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-19 08:25 pm (UTC)(brb, updating entry)
What did you think of the opening scene, where he gets 'born'? I thought the final scene was the best, with the Creature's final line (now I wonder if the Creature can die). And the whole scene with the dream-wife where they're almost-dancing was just gorgeous and so heartbreaking.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-21 12:28 am (UTC)I thought both the opening and final sequences were great! OH MAN, I CAN SEE WHY BENEDICT WAS STRAINING LIGAMENTS AND MESSING HIMSELF UP THROUGH ALL THE REHEARSALS. DAMN. And yes, that did last forever. I also agree that Victor was underwritten, but it was nice to see so much of the story from the Creature's point of view; that being said, I thought the adaptation was a little clunky in parts, and I didn't always agree with the way the original text had been interpreted? Did Elizabeth really need to be raped, Nick Dear? Really?
But the performance itself was phenomenal. I thought everyone was amazing, and I only regret I won't get the chance to see its reverse; whilst I love Benedict best and was so proud to see him in such a huge role, I'd also really like to see what Jonny Lee Miller could do with the part.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-21 02:09 am (UTC)Straining ligaments and stuff makes total sense, the poor guy. The whole production was so physical--the convulsing, the weird walk and movements, the dance scene with the imaginary 'wife', everything. And when you put in the speech, it really feels like he must have put himself through hell for that role, and (as stupid as it sounds) that feels something to be proud of.
I actually didn't watch Elizabeth being raped, I sort of hid behind my program. :| Victor's whole sexual repression and the Creature needing a mate was kind of interesting, but then it was all 'now I am a man' and 'her strawberry lips' and I was no no no, so very much no. Blurgh. (I was also really disturbed by the way the blood on the Creature's wife seemed to be centered around her loincloth--both Victor and the Creature had issues.)
I really hope they put out a DVD with both the performances, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. *throws bags of money at the National Theatre* Honestly, I almost wish I could see it again, just to think about it more.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-21 02:33 am (UTC)Despite finding parts a bit squicky and/or superuncomfortable, I'd also buy a DVD of this production in a red hot minute. I know the National Theatre doesn't do that often, if at all, but OH PLEASE JUST THIS ONCE, IT WAS SO AMAZING.
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Date: 2012-07-01 05:48 am (UTC)