Greenwich Theatre – until 30th August 2026
Reviewed by Mike Linane
5*****
Most people will already be aware of the story of Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious student who discovers how to animate lifeless matter and assembles a being from stolen body parts. Horrified at its awakening, he abandons it—only for the creature to seek him out, longing for companionship but driven to vengeance by rejection, from the novel by Mary Shelley that has been filmed so many times.
But did you know that twenty years ago writing team Jimmy Jewell and Nick Stimson turned it into a musical with a cast including a young Ed Sheeran? Two decades later Jewell and Stimson have reworked the show with the help of writer Victoria Gimby and it is nothing short of amazing.
If you like your musicals in the ilk of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera then this show is for you.
It is being presented British Youth Theatre Music with funding from the Boris Karloff Foundation. Karloff, of course, famously played Frankenstein’s monster in the 1931 film version.
This visceral new musical adaptation of Frankenstein rips into society’s gaze: how do we decide who is dangerous, who is worthy, and who is denied humanity altogether? Fast‑paced and drenched in tension, it hurtles through a world where snap judgements turn lethal and rejection becomes a force of its own.
Performed by a ferocious cast of young performers, this production never slows to catch its breath. Scenes snap by with cinematic intensity, driven by an urgent, propulsive score, sharp jump scares and bold theatrical set pieces that keep audiences on edge.
Relentless and unsettling, Frankenstein is a gripping theatrical experience that leaves no room to look away. This adaptation exposes the violence of judgement itself.
The cast of 38 are all under the age of 21 but are tremendously talented. They all give extremely mature performances with the principal cast members all being outstanding. Special mention must be made of Catherine Lewis who plays Frankenstein’s mother Elizabeth, Bryony Rochfort who plays Caroline, the love of Victor’s life, Eleni Chivers who plays Frankenstein and Freddie Summers who plays the Creature with a very intense performance.
There is literally nothing to fault in this production except, perhaps, that ay 80 minutes it is all over too quickly. It demands to be expanded into a full-scale musical which could be easily done as there are many parts of the story that happen somewhat quickly and then could easily grace any West End stage and be an almighty success.
This reviewer has to admit that he wasn’t expecting to rave over this show as much as he has but it really is one of the best musicals he has ever seen in his life. If I could I’d go back and see it again and again.
Do yourself a favour and do whatever it takes to obtain a ticket whilst it is still on at the Greenwich Theatre – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.