WHAT: Frankenstein: An Immersive Show
WHO: Midnight Circle Productions
WHERE: CRYPT, Saint Peter’s Close, London E2 7AE
WHEN: Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 14th October, 2023
PRICE: £28
OUR RATING: Do It!
On an unusually warm October evening, we congregated before the imposing facade of St. Peter’s Church. An eerie and strangely green door beckoned us into the crypt below. The interior was opulently designed, immediately signaling that we were in for a night of high-quality, immersive, and spine-tingling theater. As we roamed through the subterranean rooms, each meticulously crafted, it became clear that we were about to embark on a captivating journey.
Frankenstein: An Immersive Show is a chilling, poignant reimagining of the traditional story, refocusing on Victor Frankenstein (Miles Blanch) as he traverses his memories in an almost psychoanalytic manner to eager sea Captain Robert Walton (Nicholas Benjamin), providing a solid foundation to the tale, in search of a crew. What follows mixes the eerie, unsettling motifs of gothic horror with shades of tragedy – for taking on the mantle of Giver of Life tangles with the very essence of nature herself (and the dire consequences of tampering with it).
The experience itself follows the best promenade tradition spearheaded by Punchdrunk of allowing the audience to explore the space and the many hidden secrets within. This bold choice may not be to everyone’s taste, but we felt the element of exploration only heightened the sense of realism and anticipation, for whilst you will never miss out on the main action points, your choices will dictate your experience. Midnight Circle Productions success in this regard is to be hugely applauded, as it is a difficult format to realise.
As the story unfolds, we begin to understand that Victor Frankenstein is a solitary figure, but certainly not alone. Surrounded by family and friends, we learn of his desperate attempt to undo the awful consequences of disease that rip his home in two, only to create from the ashes a being that – due to lack of nurturing – becomes a disease all of itself. Blanch skillfully portrays Victor Frankenstein with great emotional depth as a man who has lost so much that his torment demands decisive action – the literal overcoming of death.
In the transformation from death to life, controlled yet visceral physicality reigns supreme. Caroline Frankenstein (Nadia Lamin), succumbing early on, rises from the beyond in a creative and well-imagined reanimation that attests to masterful choreography by Chris Evans and the embodiment of primal energy by Lamin and her castmates.
Amongst these darker themes, there is a richness of life painted through the interactions of each of the characters. The teasing – sometimes brutal – between childhood friend Henry Clerval (Michael McGarry) and William Frankenstein (Piers Mackenzie) has elements of humor, as does the repeated “speech” to be given by McGarry. Elizabeth Lavenza (Niamh Handley-Vaughan), who is eager in her reuniting with Victor, is also portrayed in a deeply poignant manner, as she navigates a family to whom she is both a ward and future bride.
Alphonse Frankenstein (Harry Harding), as the patriarch of the family, presents some of the most heart-wrenching scenes as he grapples with his son’s aberrant pursuits, which ultimately lead to tragic consequences.
Final Thoughts: This is a captivating reinterpretation of the classic tale, expertly brought to life by Midnight Circle Productions. From the moment we descended into the crypt beneath St. Peter’s Church, it was evident that we were in for a high-quality and thought-provoking theatrical experience. The immersive setting allowed us to actively engage with the narrative, while the cast’s compelling performances and intricate character dynamics added depth and emotion to the story. This production seamlessly weaves elements of gothic horror with philosophical reflections on science and life, leaving a lasting impression and prompting the audience to contemplate the repercussions of tampering with the boundaries of nature and humanity.
