Frankenstein

"Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through,
and pour a torrent of light into our dark world."

In April I was fortunate enough to get tickets to a unique production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre. The two stars, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature each night, both embuing the characters with their individual performances and qualities. The night I went, Cumberbatch played the Creature, with his infamous fervour and energy; while Miller played Victor, progressive yet naive, brilliant and yet foolish.

The production was incredible. The Olivier theatre at the National contains the renowned Drum Revolve stage - 4 storeys high and 15 m across, the stage rotates and contains beneath it immense set pieces that dominate the large yet intimate theatre. The moment the production began, the audience was captivated by the sight of the Creature being born - bursting forth from the manmade womb, naked and helpless as an infant. We follow the Creature, as he learns to use his body and mind, finds his voice, and experiences human emotion.

Cumberbatch was incomparable as the Creature. Embodying his fear and wonder, rage and love and ultimately, his hate towards Victor - Cumberbatch allowed us to care for the poor Creature, while creating such tension and suspense that the audience was truly shocked at the horrific ending. Miller was also excellent as the unfortunate scientist and scenes between the two men were electric.

The following week, I was able to see the production again, as it had been filmed for display in several arts cinemas, this time with the roles reversed. While Miller played the Creature very well, allowing a certain amount of personal interpretation, his portrayal perhaps lacked the depth and humour (and full nudity!!) of Cumberbatch's performance. Cumberbatch meanwhile was wonderful as Victor Frankenstein, showing him as slightly less vulnerable and more misguided. The reversed production held a similar tension to seeing the play on stage, although it was certainly missing the energy and grip of a live show, focussing on the action and artistry of the stage design.

The actors were astounding and the production, adapted by Nick Dear and directed by the film director, Danny Boyle, was absolutely brilliant. Sadly a short run meant that only a small number of theatre-goers were able to see the play, but the new tradition of filming productions means that it will be available to many more. If it comes to a theatre near you...see it!

On a side note - I shall be taking the backstage tour at the National Theatre on Sunday - I can't wait to see the sets and props!

Photos taken from the National Theatre website.

Introductions...

I'd like to introduce two new members of my little household.

Rosencrantz...

and Guildenstern...

They became part of my family on Sunday from the RSPCA rescue centre after their stray cat mother gave birth to them in a foster home. Only 9 weeks old, they were understandably nervous at first, but have already become quite the little characters, keen for both play and cuddles. I've wanted to get cats for years, and now that I am well and truly shore-based and have a house of my own, it felt like the right time. Luckily I've been able to provide some homeless kittens with all the shelter, food and love they will need, and forsee many happy kitty years ahead! They've already shown a great interest in my bookshelves and will hopefully live up to their comedic namesakes.

I'll keep you updated on kitten antics, but for now, from me, Rose and Gilly...we bid you a good night.

Psyche in a Dress - Francesca Lia Block

Francesca Lia Block's short work of poetry and prose, is a retelling of the Greek myth, set in a more familar contemporary setting.

Psyche is also a book about what it is to be woman. She takes a lover, Eros, though she is forbidden from seeing his face. Convinced by her sisters to expose him in candlelight, Eros flees, and Psyche is forced to spend her years searching for her lost love. In that time, Psyche is personified as several other mythological women, including Persephone, queen of the underworld, Demeter, goddess of the harvest and Eurydice, wife of Orpheus banished to the underworld.

Manipulative and deeply sexual, Blocks gods and goddesses are both delicate and beautiful yet terrible and cruel. Psyche in a Dress is filled with complex metaphors. I admit to not being able to decipher them all myself! However, I was able to appreciate the uniqueness of Block's writing, and the nature of the stories being (re)told - although set in a modern world, the stories and characters maintain a classic mythological feel.

Psyche in a Dress is worth a read by anyone with an interest in Greek mythology, though Block's particular style may not be for everyone.

Other blog reviews:
Stella Matutina
Rhinoa's Ramblings
The Written World
Things Mean A Lot

The End Of The World!

Like zombies? Want to support an amateur author who is poised to take the world by storm with his interactive online story about the end of the world? Look no further!

A friend of mine is writing said work and needs your help. His story is based upon the trials of a range of characters, beginning on Sunday January 1st 2012 when their lives are changed by a catastrophic event! You can see a timeline of events, read about each character (spoiler: this includes their current status - dead or alive!), and even see their current location.

The story is online in blog format, so you should scroll to the first entry written on December 1 and start from there. Each chapter is broken down into the stories of each individual character. At the end of each chapter, you will be encouraged to cast your vote to save your favourite character, and control where the story leads us...who lives and who dies at the end of this world...you decide!

Dorling's End of the World

Not suitable for children

The Woman in Black - Susan Hill

Read mainly because I would like to see the play (and upcoming film), The Woman in Black has been one of my rare forays into ghostly fiction.

This well known and popular story revolves around a young solicitor, Arthur Kipps, who is sent to a small town on the east coast of England to attend the funeral of an elderly widow. While tending to the deceased's affairs, Kipps decides to stay in her home, the secluded Eel Marsh house, accessible only at low tide. There he is subject to the hauntings associated with the area...the sounds of a horse and cart, the screams of a drowning child and himself sees the apparition of the infamous Woman in Black.

I really enjoyed this tense and atmospheric gothic tale. I really felt for the young and naive Arthur Kipps, a man who is determined to do his job well and impress his boss, thus making a good life for himself and the woman he loves. I won't ruin the story for anyone who does not already know it - all I will say is, although this feels like a simple ghost story, it still surprised me! Hill masters the simplicity of horror and tension so much that I barely noticed I was on the edge of my seat until I allowed myself to breathe again!

I've heard nothing but good things about the stage play, which I hope to see this year if its still on. And now I am curious about the forthcoming film, starring...Daniel Radcliffe of all people! I am a latecomer to this type of thriller fiction - can you recommend any other titles?

Other blog reviews:
A Striped Armchair
Book Gazing
Melody's Reading Corner
Things Mean A Lot

Harp of the Grey Rose - Charles de Lint

Cerin is an orphan raised by a country witch by the village of Wran Cheaping, where he is seen as somewhat an outsider. It is there that he catches his first glimpse of a girl he knows only as the Grey Rose. He befriends and soon falls for the mysterious beauty, only for her to be stolen from him by a powerful enemy. Cerin must rescue her armed only with his tinker's knowledge and gift for weaving song.

Harp of the Grey Rose is old school fantasy - naive small town guy meets mysterious girl in peril and goes on a quest to save her and ultimately win her love. Nothing particularly new there then. Though the story is not original, the storytelling has a certain magic and poetry to it, creating an interesting world and readable characters. And that is something I have heard often when it comes to the well-loved author.

This was my first Charles de Lint novel, and enjoyable enough, though one that I know is quite different to much of his other urban fantasy work. Which should I read next?

The Book of Flying - Keith Miller

Described in one review that I read as unexpectedly lovely, The Book of Flying is exactly that. In search of the Book is Pico, a gentle, lonely librarian and poet who falls in love with a flying girl. In his city, those who fly keep themselves apart from those bound to the earth. To win his love, Pico embarks on a quest to a fabled Morning Town in order to find the titular book and earn his wings.

Along his journey, Pico encounters an array of interesting characters, a robber queen, a minotaur, a cannibal, and an immortal beauty. Pico must face the beauty and horror of his world and his most unexpected challenge, coming face to face with himself.

This book is truly beautiful. Pico is such a gentle soul, facing challenges and situations he could never have dreamed of from his sheltered library. His choices along the road are difficult ones. But to attain his goal and earn his wings, Pico may have to pay the ultimate price.

For a debut novel, Miller's writing is truly astounding. He has created a touching poetic story, with the most loveable of characters. Pico is sweet, kind and naive, yet capable of such strength of will and character...a true fantasy hero. I cannot recommend this book enough, and owe Chris my heartfelt thanks for his review leading me to read it!

Other reviews:
Stuff as Dreams are Made on
The Written World
The Zen Leaf