"Frankenstein" by Ravenshead Theatre Group

Ravenshead Village Hall

This gothic classic by Mary Shelley and dramatised by Tim Kelly is very different to the production of the same name presented at The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton just a couple of weeks ago. Different, but just as good.

Victor Frankenstein returns to his Swiss chateau to escape a terrible pursuer. No one can shake free the dark secret that terrifies him: not his mother, nor his fiancée, Elizabeth, nor his best friend Henry. Even the pleading of a gypsy girl accused of murdering Victor's younger brother falls on deaf ears, for Victor has brought into being a creature made from bits and pieces of the dead. The creature tracks Victor to his sanctuary to demand, first that Frankenstein destroys the creature, but then a bride to share its loneliness. Against his better judgement, Victor agrees and soon the household is invaded by murder, despair and terror!

Rob Hurst is Victor Frankenstein, and Rob does troubled and guilty very well. there are sections where Victor really raises his voice and becomes angered, and these parts really make you sit up and take notice of the Creature's creator. There is great passion in this performance and you feel Frankenstein's alarm, guilt and anger.

Daniel Andrews plays The Creature, and like Rob, I've seen Daniel in a very different light due to this very serious and menacing role. From the second that the Creature bursts on to the stage, he makes you take a sharp intake of breath; and that is because of the visual side of the character. The make up is hideously good with stitch marks all over the Creatures face and body. The shaved head highlights the stitched together like a rag doll look and the right eye is pure Hammer Horror.

I've seen Daniel in several roles over the years but this takes his acting ability to another level. It's powerful and passionate, and when he stares into the audience, intimidating and alarming. On an evening such as tonight, I would not like to meet Daniel with full make up on!

Julie Cox takes the part of Frau Frankenstein, and it's lovely to see Julie, as with the other cast members portray a serious role. Much of Julie's roles that I have seen have been of a comic nature, and this shows that she can do serious, as well as comedy.

Adam Nayar as Ernst Hessler, the policeman who always seems to deliver the bad news. Hessler is straight to the point and delivers with solemnity and authority. Adam I can remember seeing quite a while ago and have noticed that his acting has really grown with the plays that he has appeared in. This is the best character acting I've seen from Adam.

Sarah Tyner plays Elizabeth, Frankenstein's fiancée, who we see becomes his bride. The story is told almost in reverse as we first see the couple on their wedding night, where Frankenstein reveals that he knows that he will be killed on the wedding night. The story then unfolds the reason why he has told Elizabeth this.

John Birch plays Henry Clerval, Victor's best friend and a fellow scientist. It takes a bit of convincing by Victor regarding the story but he eventually brings Henry around to helping him with the original, and the new deal requested by the Creature. A loyal friend whose character is brought out with wonderful chemistry between the two friends by John.

Adam Hague as Mr Wilkes and Dennis Baggarley is Mr Dodd, both grave robbers. This is where it all starts as the lights dim and both enter from the back of the audience in half light, complete with an almost successful night's work. A nice bit of dark comedy from these two, lightening the mood.

Ann-Marie Butler plays Sophie, the housekeeper and completing the cast, Helen Berry plays Justine, the gypsy girl who has something that struck terror into the heart of Victor Frankenstein.

Directed by Terry Cox, he has chosen the perfect cast for this show, keeping tension and shock to the fore, and a great choice for the musical score. Only one little thing. People who know me and my reviews know that I love attention to detail, and there just one scene that niggled me. When Frankenstein was in his laboratory and we see "through the wall" Victor sawing away at, what we assume to be a body or body part, there was just sawing thin air. I'd have loved to have seen more gore in this scene, maybe sawing a bone or piece of meat. I know I'm just macabre!

One thing that I did love was the penultimate entrance of the Creature; the drapes twitched while Elizabeth was alone in the room and I was on the edge of my seat expecting the re-appearance of the Creature, but no! His eventual appearance in that scene made me jump as I was so concentrated on the drapes that...... well, I'm not going to give anything away

The set has been designed by Terry, and what a wonderful set it was, and I know just how long it took to create it as well. this is one set that was not just thrown together in a few hours!

Sound design was also by Terry Cox and if his aim was to evoke creeping terror and unease, well he succeeded. there was one section where the music/effects literally vibrated in the speakers, making your chest throb with the intensity of the vibrations.

The lighting design is by Iain Walton, and I loved the rapid switching of the light, highlighting the actor on stage at that time, and the effect of the long shadows added to the suspense.

Having seen "Frankenstein" performed twice in the last few weeks, both are very different, both giving different perspectives and both visually very impressive. Both shows also highlight the talents of the make-up artist and just how important their role is in theatre.

"Frankenstein" is at Ravenshead Village Hall until Saturday 1 October.