Image: The Frankenstein Monster Painting
- Dick Bobnick
Yesterday the Open City Docs Fest at University College London
played host to the first public screening of 'Frankenstein:
A Modern Myth', a documentary that examines the legacy of
the original story by Mary Shelley, viewed through the prism of
last year's celebrated production at The National Theatre
starring Benedict
Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee
Miller.
It's important to note that despite initial conceptions, the
documentary is certainly not a behind the scenes piece on the play
itself. While the production features extensively through the use
of rehearsal footage, generous material culled from both
versions of the play recorded for National Theatre Live, and
the use of Underworld's score from the show throughout, the
focus is instead far more wide ranging.
The documentary takes in a biography of writer Mary Shelley and
her place in society at the time; examinations of previous
incarnations of the creature, including Boris Karloff's iconic
portrayal; the creation of screen monsters - including interviews
with director John Waters and his creation of the drag artist
Divine; the debate of science verses nature and the ethical
dilemmas inherent to the themes of the story; the case for nature
verses nurture, including a visit to Broadmoor Hospital and
interviews with the facilities' head psychiatric doctor; and of
course, the play itself.
If that sounds like a lot to cover, it is, but the documentary
deftly navigates all areas to produce a fascinating portrait of all
aspects the original novel touches upon, both in the past and
present, with a look to the future.
In terms of material from the play itself, there is new
rehearsal footage contained within, as well as new interviews with
Danny Boyle and Nick Dear. Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee
Miller's contribution outside the rehearsal material is restricted
to discussion about their performances as The Creature, footage
which you may have already seen if you attended one of the National
Theatre Live screenings of the play. While this may sound
disappointing, the documentary does perform the neat trick of cross
cutting and repeating footage from the play, allowing a definitive
look at the contrasts both actors bring to their roles.
After the screening, a brief Q&A with producers from The
National Theatre confirmed that the documentary is still due to
broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK this Summer, though exact
scheduling is still to be confirmed. There is also a desire to
bring the documentary to DVD for home video release, though when
questioned by the audience it was re-confirmed that the cinema will
remain the current home of the play itself, due to the artistic
desires of the actors and Danny Boyle to retain the communal,
shared experience of the theatre as best as possible.
We'll be updating when a broadcast date for Frankenstein: A
Modern Myth is decided upon by Channel 4. We heartily recommend it
as a companion piece to both the book, and the play - it was
especially interesting having freshly seen the National Theatre
Live encores this past week.