Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre: Frankenstein

 Didn't know what to expect.  Discovered something very interesting, more thought provoking than I expected; which--I suspect--is true of Mary Shelley's book, as well.  It's an intimate story told by 5 actual, historical friends, re-enacting a mythic evening when Mary Shelley is said to have first unveiled her story of the misunderstood monster.  The five friends: Mary, her lover at the time Percy Bysshe Shelley, Claire Clairmont, Dr. John Polidori and Lord Byron are played by the quintet of performers who then weave themselves in and out of the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster.

The actors worked like a finely oiled machine, sliding in and out of one character and  then another all the while offering the audience a seamless tale.  If one should be singled out, I would pick Joshua Williams who played both the vain glorious Lord Byron and the confused, besieged, and yet forgiving monster.

The set was simple and effective with jagged light-strips running all over the set pieces and stage flashing neon orange and yellow in perfect time for a jump or a jolt from the audience.  All around, it was a delightful way to spend a cool Halloween afternoon.

[cue sinister rolls of laughter]

The cast: backrow L-R: Jose O. Guzman, Fabiolla da Silva, and Dawn Thomas Reidy

Front L-R: Joshua Willams and Vince Eisenson

Mary Shelley looking down as her character, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, comes to life in the guise of her beloved, Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Dr. Frankenstein examining some parts from a grave robbing in order to reconstruct his creature.

The Creature rises from the ground.

In the form of the night, the authors demonstrates pity for her confused creature.

And the epilogue also belongs to Mary.