Young Frankenstein

The musical Young Frankenstein is based on the 1970s movie of the same name by Mel Brooks.  And, like the movie, it’s an hilarious spoof based on an invented sequel to the horror story of Frankenstein’s Monster.  The original Frankenstein has died and left his estate to his grandson Frederick Frankenstein.   In order to claim his estate Frederick journeys to Transylvania from New York leaving behind his untouchable and rather glamourous fiancé Elizabeth.  On arrival he meets Igor, the grandson of the former assistant to his grandfather and Inga, the sexy lab assistant. Though initially reluctant Frederick decides to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps with the aim of bringing the dead to life.   However, things don’t go to plan when the wrong brain is installed in the body and the newly created monster breaks loose just as Elizabeth arrives from New York to surprise Fredrick.

This production, directed by Adam Walker with Gareth Lloyd as MD, was totally slick yet didn’t neglect the bonkers premise of the story.  The cast was incredibly strong.   Andrew Coan and Matthew Zunder both made their debuts with Ellesmere in this production and added to the comic silliness in the roles of Harold the Hermit, who was wonderfully sad and lonely, and the rather starchy Inspector Hans Kemp.    Gina Holmes brought class, confidence and a sexy style of comedy to the role of Elizabeth Benning - ‘Please Don’t Touch Me’ was wonderful.  The castle housekeeper, Frau Blucher (who is something of an oddball), was played to great effect by Carol Wibberley – super characterisation and great comic timing, particularly in ‘He Was My Boyfriend’.

Andrew Stansall was a most magnificent Monster – that is a huge tap-dancing green monster – just so entertaining!  His scene with Benning couldn’t have been funnier.  He made the Monster believable and funny with a wonderful physicality and even better tap-dancing skills.  The slightly dim, yet terribly saucy sex bomb, Inga, was played by Sarah Morrell with wonderful movement particularly when she and Dr Frankenstein partake of the hospital trolly romp.  Morrell kept up the character at all times and was vibrant, energetic and lovable.

Damien Ross was incredible as stupid Igor, a role he played with great flexible physicality and wonderful comedic style.   And what a fantastic duo he made with Danny Hawley as Doctor Frederick Frankenstein (or Fronkansteen as he preferred).  Hawley was absolutely brilliant with so much presence and amazing delivery.  The routine ‘Together Again’ was captivating and like the whole show this pairing could easily have transferred to the professional stage. 

‘Puttin’ On the Ritz’ was another highlight of the show and like all the numbers involving the ensemble was full of enthusiasm and energy.   Kat Burton, choreographer, had done a great job creating routines which worked for the space, the performers and the story.  The ensemble looked absolutely at home on the Lyceum Stage and smiled their way through the whole show.  Costumes, set and props were perfect, and the cast looked like they’d been rehearsing with them for weeks.  Sound and Lighting was to a very high-standard.

The challenges faced by the Company in terms of moving venue at only two weeks’ notice and bringing forward the whole production by a week were huge, but the Cast, Production Team, Crew and Management Committee clearly worked so hard to bring this show to life.  The slapstick, satire and endless humour celebrated everything that this Company had overcome and was a huge hit with the audience.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.