Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is proud to announce the world premiere season of shake & stir theatre co’s FRANKENSTEIN in the Playhouse from 14 to 28 October 2023.
From the Queensland company behind the award-winning stage spectacles Jane Eyre, A Christmas Carol and Dracula, comes Mary Shelley’s electrifying tale of creation and humanity, retold in a large-scale theatrical event.
Victor Frankenstein, a brilliantly ambitious young scientist, pushes the boundaries of theory and morality to create a living being from the remains of the dead. But playing God has its consequences. Shunned by society and plagued by an inherited sense of confusion and rage, Victor’s miracle of science becomes a monster that threatens to destroy everything his creator holds dear.
shake & stir Co-Artistic Director and FRANKENSTEIN Director Nick Skubij said the company is electrified by this newest production.
“I am thrilled to be taking the helm of shake & stir’s adaptation of FRANKENSTEIN. Gothic fiction is a passion of the company, and Shelley’s groundbreaking novel, credited for both its gothic roots and for pioneering the science fiction genre, presents an excitingly monstrous challenge in mounting it for the stage,” he said.
“We have assembled a remarkable set of creatives, who, like our protagonist, will work together to assemble a monster of a production that will take the audience on an immersive journey into the mind of our brilliant, yet flawed, scientist.
“With dynamic staging, innovative use of video and digital technology, a cast of incredible actors and a hauntingly evocative sound design, FRANKENSTEIN will truly come alive on stage.”
Despite being written by Mary Shelley in 1818, FRANKENSTEIN makes noteworthy commentaries of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it impacts the world around us. Skubij believes these parallels are significant in 2023.
“It’s been fascinating to consider this incredible work dealing with themes of advancement, progress and pushing the limits of possibility alongside contemporary advances in AI technology today. The story could not be more relevant. Like Victor Frankenstein’s creation, AI is arguably neither good nor bad; it’s how its built and used that dictates its legacy,” he said.
“Frankenstein’s monster is just that. A living, breathing ‘being’ far superior in capabilities than any natural human could ever be. But what are the consequences of using science to play God?”
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas acknowledged shake & stir’s remarkable consistency in taking tales from page to stage and creating captivating world-class productions.
“Without fail, shake & stir continues to create innovative, compelling and groundbreaking work with its storytelling and presentation. FRANKENSTEIN will be no exception,” he said.
“We know from previous shake & stir productions, such as Jane Eyre, The Twits and A Christmas Carol, the company’s incredible attention to staging, script and storytelling which always results in a very memorable, immersive theatre experience for audiences.
“QPAC has collaborated with the shake & stir team for more than 10 years and we are always proud to co-present work with them that engages diverse audiences and share exciting and captivating stories with an edge.”
This stunning and mesmeric performance will jolt into QPAC’s Playhouse from 14 to 28 October 2023. Tickets are on sale now at qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.
