Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein is a new(ish) musical comedy based on the 1974 film of the same name by Mel Brooks. So you have some idea before you turn up at the theatre what to expect.  A clever script, funny (sometimes naughty) lyrics and many different styles of music.  This particular plot/story is about the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. Once there he meets a hunchbacked side-kick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a beautiful lab assistant, Inga.

The staging of the show was well thought out. A plethora of scene changes is called for and all settings and props looked splendid. Congratulations to Stage Manager Vikki West and her crew on the swift changes which didn’t interfere with the momentum of the piece.  Costumes were good as they always are under the auspices of Sarah Smith and sound in the main was kept at a good level. Congratulations to Vikki West (again) on the excellent lighting design, operated spot on cue by Jim Bourne. 

In the titular role with an effervescent and exceptionally enjoyable performance was Will Cahill as Frederick.  A strong performer who brought good characterisation for this role. He was able to draw the audience in right from the start. No slouch as a singer either and well done to Will and the Ensemble on the skilfully dealt with lyrically difficult number The Brain.

Please don’t touch me sung by Elizabeth (Maddie McIntyre) was really funny and she brought out the comedy throughout this song. Elizabeth could be classed as a minor principal role but Maddie certainly managed to make an impact.  Faye Dower nicely characterised Inga in a strong performance with excellent vocals.  Charlie Maguire’s Frau Blucher had me really giggling with her solo of He Vas My Boyfriend.  A fine performance and a favourite character I must admit.  Igor - don’t mention the hump - played by Nigel Witney popped up in many unusual places even in the crook of Frankenstein’s arm at one point. Brilliant characterisation throughout.

The Monster was extremely well done by Steven Fenn. To deliver comedy whilst not saying a single word for most of his time on stage is no mean feat but he managed it splendidly.  The scene with the blind Hermit (a lovely cameo by Abbie Good) was well done. 

For a musical the show had a relatively small cast of fourteen, half of whom formed the Ensemble led by Alex Schosland as Inspector Kemp and they worked really hard.  Their interaction with each other as well as with the Principals was excellent. Great vocals too.  

Being a musical comedy it is essential that the cast responsible for these comic moments are able to deliver their lines correctly in order for the comedy to shine through, and this was the case throughout. The audience were well and truly laughing away at so much of the naughty adult humour that is littered throughout the script.

Elliott Papworth certainly has a great directorial skill set. This was a well directed and well paced show.  He was well supported by his Musical Director Nicholas Sheehan who did an excellent job preparing the cast for the performance and Choreographer Jodie Corbett whose choreography was  great including a first-rate tap routine for Putting on the Ritz.  This trip to Transylvania will be one which sticks in the memory as being a fun evening with great songs and a cast doing full justice to Mel Brooke’s script.

Congratulations NOMADS and all involved in a first-class show.

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