Frankenstein mock Flashcards
who played the role of Frankenstein
Benedict Cumberbatch
what is the effect of setting at the start
minimalist set focuses attention on Frankenstein, the bareness of the set reflects the bareness and vulnerability of the creature
what is used to create the kitchen
a glass box with a shear cyclorama on it which is only seen when light shines on it- creates this shadowed appearance of a tree
what do the costumes tell us about the couple from the house
shows us deprivation and poverty- possible farmers
what effect does the lighting have in the scene when Frankenstein finds the house
smoggy, from smoke machine resembles dirty farmyard environment
what does Frankenstein lack at the start
diolouge- he grunts- animistic and lack of education
when is there a shift of focus
shift of focus from house to outside where Frankenstein and the old man walk, there is a patch of fake grass and fake snow falls from ceiling- blue toned lighting
what shows sunshine and outdoors
a shed of light across stage
what does Frankenstein not have (costume)
no shoes, which shows lack of humanity- emphesises animalisticness
explain frankenstein and the blind old mans relationship
the old man doesn’t judge by looks, he only hears him. He isn’t scared therefore is able to help and educate him- makes audience question the morals of peoples impressions from appearance
as the old man and frankensteins relationship develops what else does
frankensteins ability to speak properly and his level of education- given the opportunity he can civilize himself
how does the lighting and staging change in Frankensteins dream
sea of golden light bulbs on the ceiling, flood the stage with light- resembles hope and love.
When the lady Frankenstein walks on stage there is a shift to a futuristic blue which emphesises the “unreality” of the scene. It is non nauralistic, which is shown through physical theatre and duet. His freakish movements turn smooth which shows how with love he is not alone, creates sense of empathy as he wants what we all want- introduces motive of character
what confirms it was a dream
in the next scene he exclaims to the blind man that he had a dream- dramatic irony has the mans blind and the dream all have connotations of something he cannot see or cannot have- he will not see love or humanity.
what happens when they couple arrive back home
they scream and tell Frankenstein to run away- he thinks the old man broke the promise that they would not hate him- makes him angry- foreshadows next scene
How does the lighting and music shift after he has to run away
flames through pit in stage door, red flashing lighting and highly dramatic music- percussion- creates climax. He lights fire and within the glass box sets fire to house- smoke machine creates illusion of intoxicating smoke
what is the stage
circular stage highly technical with many different levels and spaces
who directed the performance
Danny Boyle
where was its first performance
royal national theatre
when was the first peformance
5th feb 2011
who wrote the play
Nick Dears adaptation
in march 2011 what happened to the performance
It was broadcasted to cinemas around the world as part of the national theatre live programme- the piece had to be effective through a screen as well as in person
what is the name of the blind father
De Lacey
what does the creature do
reads victor’s journal and learns about his creator
what is the shift after the fire scene
light blue lighting, no music and a long wooden plank/footpath going out into a lake, low smoke to create movement of water- William, victors younger brother
He is playing hide and seek with friends when Frankenstein meets him alone
what does the creature first say when he speaks to the boy
tells him not to turn round- people fear his appearance
What is the shift after Frankenstein picks up the boy - he is scared and tries to fight off him
darker blue lighting, and increase in amount of smoke on floor= night atmosphere
describe costume of characters when they run on stage to find william
Victorian upper class and are holding fire torches- night time and slight element of fear
what is the shift after they find William dead
a bell sound effect with road sound effect during a blackout- turning into an industrial sound track in which we see the shadow of a train track get pulled up to the ceiling- industrial revolution time period- morals of science and religion being questioned
heavy use of smog
what lines does victor say that link to the idea of science going to far
“experiment that has gone wrong” and he did it to “prove that I can”
what does creature make audience question
prejudices and the effect they have on others
who does creature have empathy for
Satan as he “did know wrong yet was pushed away”
what does Frankenstein say he wishes
“wish to be part of society”
and requests for a female Frankenstein to be created- needs someone to relate to
what contrasts within frankeinstein
his dialouge shows him to be intelligent but his physicallity shows to be awkward, rigid and comical
how does frankenstein request a female and how does he try and fit in with society
Says he wants to hurt victor but he will negotiate because “thats what we should do “ - shows maturity but then crawls on the floor like a mutant child
he is on his hands and knees, below creator creates sense of hierachy
what is creature constantly doing
moving- restless and unsettled, still forming- when he requests female he is still- shows strength
what do victor and creature have in common
they are both alone
what does creature shout after discussion/deal
“I will be waiting”- echo effect shows how he is constantly watching and lurking
what is the music like at the beginning
discordant sound - sound slows down as the monster emerges
what is the music like in the beginning
harsh red and yellow lighting
describe his movement at the start
struggles to stand up- like a baby but has no support- loneliness
inhumane, jumbles, uncomfortable, uncomprehensive movement
what is the creatures costume like at the start
bare, almost nothing- emphesises bond and skin
what is the first emotion we see of him
confused, shouting but no understanding of words
what contrasts straight after introduction of creature
immediate contrast of the doctor train representing industrial revolution, slurred chorus voice represents how the monster sees it- use of physical theatre and traditional Victorian clothing and music- Victorians hatred to anything different- traditionalism
constant sense of muffled noise
in the victorian section after 1st scene what do we see (contrast)
individual hanging lights (ambience) with chaos and anger of machinary
