Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Directed by Chris Loveless

Movement Director Malika Taylor

An eighteen-year-old girl, Mary Shelley, dreams up a monster whose tragic story will capture the imaginations of generations to come.

A young scientist by the name of Frankenstein breathes life into a gruesome body. Banished into an uncaring world, Frankenstein’s creature desperately seeks out his true identity, but the agony of rejection and a broken promise push him into darkness. Dangerous and vengeful, the monster threatens to obliterate Frankenstein and everyone he loves, in a ferocious and bloodthirsty hunt for his maker.

Rona Munro‘s ‘inventive feminist adaptation’ (The Stage) of Mary Shelley’s Gothic masterpiece places the writer herself amongst the action as she wrestles with her creation and with the stark realities facing revolutionary young women, then and now.

Furness Youth Theatre follows this year’s hit production of Beauty and the Beast – nominated for four Association of Community Theatre awards – with this inventive retelling of the timeless classic.

Maddy Backhouse plays Mary. Maddy’s previous roles with FYT include Beauty in Beauty and the Beast and Bonnie in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, for both of which she was nominated for the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Actress. Malika Taylor plays Frankenstein. Malika’s previous roles with FYT include Sylvia in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase for which she was nominated for the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Actress. Joseph Cunningham in his first major role for FYT plays the Monster.

Playwright Rona Munro is a writer who has written extensively for stage, radio, film and television. Her plays include: Mary (Hampstead Theatre, 2022); James IV: Queen of the Fight (National Theatre of Scotland, 2022); a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (UK tour, 2019); a stage adaptation of Louis de Bernières’ novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (UK tour & West End, 2019); Scuttlers (Royal Exchange, Manchester, 2015); The James Plays trilogy (National Theatre of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Festival and the National Theatre of Great Britain, 2014); Donny’s Brain (Hampstead Theatre, 2012); Pandas (Traverse, 2011); Little Eagles (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2011); The Last Witch (Traverse Theatre & Edinburgh International Festival, 2009); Long Time Dead (Paines Plough & Drum Theatre Plymouth, 2006); The Indian Boy (RSC, 2006); Iron (Traverse Theatre, 2002; Royal Court, London, 2003); The Maiden Stone (Hampstead Theatre, 1995); and Bold Girls (7:84 and Hampstead Theatre, 1990). Film and television work includes the Ken Loach film Ladybird Ladybird, Aimee and Jaguar and television dramas Rehab (directed by Antonia Bird) and BAFTA-nominated Bumping the Odds for the BBC. Most recently, she wrote the screenplay for Oranges and Sunshine, directed by Jim Loach and starring Emily Watson and Hugo Weaving.

Director Chris Loveless trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His productions have played in London’s West End, the regions, New York, and France, with several named critics’ choice by Time Out and the Evening Standard. Locally, Chris has directed many productions for Furness Youth Theatre and its predecessor ACT Youth Theatre.

Press quotes for recent FYT shows:

‘Clever staging… thoroughly enjoyable’
Russ Palmer for the Association of Community Theatre on The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

‘An engaging piece of theatre… a very courageous undertaking for such a youthful cast. It bodes well for the future of live theatre that such enthusiasm and flair can be harnessed so successfully’
(five stars) Graham Whalan for Sardines Magazine on The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

‘Furness Youth Theatre has what it takes… outstanding actors… some potential big stars… The show is in the hugely capable hands of Chris Loveless’
Helen Wall for The Mail on The Railway Children & Railway Roundabout

‘A novel production with its own individual character and charm… theatrical magic… a sheer delight… this production surely proves that Furness Youth Theatre is firmly on the right track’
Graham Whalan for Sardines Magazine on The Railway Children & Railway Roundabout

• Show: current/future_show
• Society Name: 41685
• Venue Name: The Forum
• Opening date: 03/11/2023
• Venue Postcode: LA141HH
• Closing date: 04/11/2023
• Region: North West
• Credits ( author / playwright ): Rona Munro
• Website: https://www.theforumbarrow.co.uk/
• Tickets cost per person (£): £12/£10
• Box Office phone number: 01229820000