Review: (Ottawa / Theatre) Frankenstein

poster art

Right Choices, but...
by Jim Murchison 
@JimMurchison

First of all I have to apologize to The Algonquin theatre class for arriving late. I tried to take a short cut to building N and got myself lost. For that I am dreadfully embarrassed. I was accommodated even though they were sold out and I was very pleased to see that. I love it when a theatre is full.

Mary Shelley's story is a classic tale of science gone wrong, society's preoccupation with appearance over substance of character, fear, ambition and revenge. Director Zach Counsil spent a lot of time trying to find the right version and as fortune would have it, veteran actor Walter Learning had co authored with Alden Nowlan an exceptional version faithful to Mary Shelley’s vision. The play and the version were the right choice.

Review: (Quebec City) Frankenstein

Christian Michaud (photo credit Vincent Champoux)

The Creature
Shouldn’t beauty be blind?
by Isabelle-Ann Charlebois

The play opens with an almost naked creature (Christian Michaud) trying to come alive.  As the apparent quadriplegic tries to stand up, I feel sick to my stomach. It is an endless beginning, I want to go home already.

Then Victor Frankenstein (Étienne Pilon) arrives and sees the creature agonizing on the floor. He looks amazed, but also scared.  The hideousness of his creation repulses him and he runs away, leaving the poor beast by itself.  It finally gets up on its feet; nothing to make me feel better as I cannot bear seeing stitches, blood or suffering.