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Frankenstein

Author: Hazel Hole

Information

Date
16th November 2023
Society
Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society
Venue
The Westcliff Theatre Clacton On Sea
Type of Production
Play
Director
Rachael Welham
Assistant Director
Lucy Syzmr
Stage Manager
Nicola Heap

             

I was warmly welcomed at Front of House by Chairman Charlotte Root and Director Rachael Welham and was privileged to have a tour of the set prior to the start. The set, designed and  constructed by Terry White and his stage crew was quite spectacular and authentic. Depicting Victor Frankenstein’s study the set included a “laboratory”, bookshelves with a wealth of scientific “books” and items of medical/scientific equipment, including a “brain”.

This was an entertaining, horrific, tragic and thought provoking production focussing on Frankenstein’s pre occupation with The Creature which he had created using tissues taken from bodies in the morgue. The action of the play started and finished  with the wedding night of the Frankensteins with the action between telling the tale of his creature.  All the actors had developed their roles well and performed to a very high standard. Edward Groombridge gave a stellar performance as Victor Frankenstein becoming increasingly frantic in his efforts to control The Creature. Ian Reed-Golden was very convincing as The Creature, playing the role as a quite disturbed but intelligent creation and his makeup and prosthetics were first class. His movements were exaggerated and stiff emphasizing that he was an unnatural creation.

Alex Bass played Henry Clerval, Victor’s best friend, who was equally excited about The Creature but could see the dangers lurking. He was magnificent in this role with a great stage presence not to mention his sideburns!  Keith Sippett, as Ernst, the police inspector was suitably conscientious and anxious in his dealings with Victor and The Creature.

Elizabeth, Victor’s fiancée/wife was strongly and sensitively portrayed by Kayleigh White who made it abundantly clear that she did not believe some of her husband’s statements about The Creature. Lisa Winterford, as Frau Frankenstein, Victor’s mother played this role well, being both bossy and rather strident on stage.

Hayley Favell, as Sophie the housekeeper was key to the plot bustling around the stage providing refreshments, answering the door and forever sweeping up. She certainly displayed some attitude at times! Kate Braithwaite played the feisty gypsy girl, Justine who possibly held the key to the murder of the Frankensteins’ young son years ago. James and Andrew Campbell shared the cameo role of the son.

Throughout the production the atmosphere was rather gloomy and perhaps gothic.

Good use was made of lighting to create this effect alongside a somewhat eerie sensation helped by the “smoke” machine!

Costumes were authentic with The Creature’s giving the impression of being genuinely patched together.

This production showcased the enormous talent within the society and I congratulate Director, Rachael Welham for her innovative interpretation of this challenging plot and bringing out the very best from the cast.

The rather small audience enjoyed the evening as did I.

Well done to everyone involved in any way.

 

 

 

 

  

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