Young Frankenstein

A new show for me, as I was welcomed to Beccles public Hall on Thursday 20th October 2022 to see Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, into a busy foyer packed with an enthusiastic audience waiting for this latest production to start.

This musical is a parody in the horror film genre. The Young Frankenstein inherits his grandfather's estate in Transylvania and returns to the castle, eventually recreating the experiments of before and goes through many adventures, to a final happy conclusion, along the lines of all similar horror encounters.

Dr Frederick Frankenstein (Will Mugford) gave some nice touches to his performance and worked well with the transformation from a respected medical lecturer into the Frankenstein his grandfather was. Igor (Tommy McGee) played the part with gusto and created a hilarious connection with Frankenstein, and Inga (Emily Johnson) gave a clever singing and acting performance, keeping her accent throughout. All three had good rapport with one another. The Fearsome Frau Blucher (Debbie Lambert) portrayed the eerie housekeeper with verve and had some good comedy timing, The monster (Jason Lambert) is created by Frankenstein and characterises the part well. He falls in love with Elizabeth Benning (Bonnie Quinlan), the former fiancee to Frankenstein and their connection grew when together and was executed well. The cast made this plot come alive with one-liners and great timing.

The creative team of Director/Choreographer (Jean Cator) and Musical Director (Stuart Lamb) established the appropriate style for each of the scenes, making the whole experience such good fun, with catchy numbers and everyone focusing and performing at all times.

Costumes were in-keeping with the characters and storylines, the set/scenery embodied the combination of digital and actual, giving it an individual approach. I would like to mention the opening, a fabulous introduction enhanced with clear choreography. "Don't touch me" gave a truly adept performance with the right ethos and "Putting on the Ritz" was suitably comical, with both the monster and Frankenstein attempting to work a hat, cane, speak and dance simultaneously, a brilliant number.

Young Frankenstein has a great deal of content that is not in Shelley's novel, but this was a masterpiece by WLOG and horror at its best. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Compliments to everyone.  

 

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