Wednesday, June 18, 2025
By Caroline Woodward
“Frankenstein” is taking on new life (get it?) at the Shakespeare Theatre Company with a new and exciting reimagining of the gothic tale. Written and directed by Emily Burns, the show redirects the classic horror story’s focus away from the monster and towards the true monstrosity of man in a practically soap-opera-esque domestic drama.
The original “Frankenstein,” written by Mary Shelly, follows student and scientist Victor Frankenstein in his pursuit to create life and the unfortunate effects of such an unnatural act. This fallout includes the death of his younger brother, William, and his fiancée Elizabeth at the hands of his creature, leading to a long chase and Frankenstein’s eventual death.
Burn’s version greatly departs from this plot, presenting a world centered around the relationship between Frankenstein and Elizabeth, following their twists, turns and tumults after Frankenstein returns from his studies. In the play, Elizabeth is not killed, but instead marries and has a child with Frankenstein, leading to an entirely new future filled with an ever-changing dynamic between the two lovers. Much of the story is dominated by the verbal dueling between Frankenstein, played by Nick Westrate, and Elizabeth, played by Rebecca S’manga Frank, as the couple experience hardships, mistrust, lies, love and, of course, the classic relationship struggle that is an undead creature constantly haunting the narrative.
While the entire cast was excellent, the standout was undoubtedly Frank as Elizabeth. Frank plays the character with incredible depth, range and rage in scenes that couldn’t help but move the audience. In a show that attempts to tie so many emotional and grand themes together — the struggle of women, the hubris of man, fears of parenting, what it truly means to create life — Frank acts as both the beating heart of the story and lens for the audience to relate to.
Another exceptionally impressive aspect of the play is the lighting design by Neil Austin, which effortlessly transported the theater to the story’s world and translated exact time of day through impressively choreographed illumination. Other notable aspects include scenic design by Andrew Boyce, with a stage that balances immersion with stark stage dressings, and costume design by Kaye Voyce, with pieces that are simply gorgeous to look at.
Still, if you are a hard-line purist of the classic gothic tale, this version may not be your cup of tea. It certainly is a stark, almost glaring, departure from the original, one that may leave certain audiences longing for dark German forests, exciting Arctic chases, and a bit more of the monster that made this story so well-known in the first place.
However, if you’re looking for a new take on an old classic, one with approachable language and surprisingly relatable themes, STC’s “Frankenstein” offers that and more.
The show’s run has been extended to June 29. Find more information about tickets here.