Frankenstein mock

Question 1

who played the role of Frankenstein

Answer 1

Benedict Cumberbatch

Question 2

what is the effect of setting at the start

Answer 2

minimalist set focuses attention on Frankenstein, the bareness of the set reflects the bareness and vulnerability of the creature

Question 3

what is used to create the kitchen

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what do the costumes tell us about the couple from the house

Answer 4

shows us deprivation and poverty- possible farmers

Question 5

what effect does the lighting have in the scene when Frankenstein finds the house

Answer 5

smoggy, from smoke machine resembles dirty farmyard environment

Question 6

what does Frankenstein lack at the start

Answer 6

diolouge- he grunts- animistic and lack of education

Question 7

when is there a shift of focus

Answer 7

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

Question 8

what shows sunshine and outdoors

Answer 8

a shed of light across stage

Question 9

what does Frankenstein not have (costume)

Answer 9

no shoes, which shows lack of humanity- emphesises animalisticness

Question 10

explain frankenstein and the blind old mans relationship

Answer 10

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

Question 11

as the old man and frankensteins relationship develops what else does

Answer 11

frankensteins ability to speak properly and his level of education- given the opportunity he can civilize himself

Question 12

how does the lighting and staging change in Frankensteins dream

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what confirms it was a dream

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

what happens when they couple arrive back home

Answer 14

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

Question 15

How does the lighting and music shift after he has to run away

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what is the stage

Answer 16

circular stage highly technical with many different levels and spaces

Question 17

who directed the performance

Answer 17

Danny Boyle

Question 18

where was its first performance

Answer 18

royal national theatre

Question 19

when was the first peformance

Answer 19

5th feb 2011

Question 20

who wrote the play

Answer 20

Nick Dears adaptation

Question 21

in march 2011 what happened to the performance

Answer 21

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

Question 22

what is the name of the blind father

Answer 22

De Lacey

Question 23

what does the creature do

Answer 23

reads victor’s journal and learns about his creator

Question 24

what is the shift after the fire scene

Answer 24

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

Question 25

what does the creature first say when he speaks to the boy

Answer 25

tells him not to turn round- people fear his appearance

Question 26

What is the shift after Frankenstein picks up the boy - he is scared and tries to fight off him

Answer 26

darker blue lighting, and increase in amount of smoke on floor= night atmosphere

Question 27

describe costume of characters when they run on stage to find william

Answer 27

Victorian upper class and are holding fire torches- night time and slight element of fear

Question 28

what is the shift after they find William dead

Answer 28

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

Question 29

what lines does victor say that link to the idea of science going to far

Answer 29

“experiment that has gone wrong” and he did it to “prove that I can”

Question 30

what does creature make audience question

Answer 30

prejudices and the effect they have on others

Question 31

who does creature have empathy for

Answer 31

Satan as he “did know wrong yet was pushed away”

Question 32

what does Frankenstein say he wishes

Answer 32

“wish to be part of society”

and requests for a female Frankenstein to be created- needs someone to relate to

Question 33

what contrasts within frankeinstein

Answer 33

his dialouge shows him to be intelligent but his physicallity shows to be awkward, rigid and comical

Question 34

how does frankenstein request a female and how does he try and fit in with society

Answer 34

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

Question 35

what is creature constantly doing

Answer 35

moving- restless and unsettled, still forming- when he requests female he is still- shows strength

Question 36

what do victor and creature have in common

Answer 36

they are both alone

Question 37

what does creature shout after discussion/deal

Answer 37

“I will be waiting”- echo effect shows how he is constantly watching and lurking

Question 38

what is the music like at the beginning

Answer 38

discordant sound - sound slows down as the monster emerges

Question 39

what is the music like in the beginning

Answer 39

harsh red and yellow lighting

Question 40

describe his movement at the start

Answer 40

struggles to stand up- like a baby but has no support- loneliness
inhumane, jumbles, uncomfortable, uncomprehensive movement

Question 41

what is the creatures costume like at the start

Answer 41

bare, almost nothing- emphesises bond and skin

Question 42

what is the first emotion we see of him

Answer 42

confused, shouting but no understanding of words

Question 43

what contrasts straight after introduction of creature

Answer 43

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

Question 44

in the victorian section after 1st scene what do we see (contrast)

Answer 44

individual hanging lights (ambience) with chaos and anger of machinary