Danny Boyle's Frankenstein Lumbers Towards Theaters

[vansau]

Danny Boyle's Frankenstein Lumbers Towards Theaters

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Not only is Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle directing a stage adaptation of Frankenstein, but it's going to star Sherlock Holmes and Sick Boy.

He's made heroin-addicts likable, zombies scary again, the death of the sun seem plausible, and a little kid talking to saints adorable. It's probably safe to say that Danny Boyle could take any subject and give it a fresh, fun, spin. However, his latest directorial project isn't a movie, it's a theatrical adaptation of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, and it's starring some pretty awesome British actors: Johnny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch. Oh, and it's coming to a movie theater near you (maybe).

If you're confused, don't be: The play is going to be broadcast by <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Theatre_Live>National Theatre Live. The play premiered at the Royal National Theatre earlier this February and will end its run come this May. Part of the reason this play's been garnering attention is because it's two lead actors switch roles as Frankenstein and The Monster with each performance (as seen in the trailer here). The play will be broadcast twice, once on March 17th and once on March 24th, with the actors switching roles.

Miller is most famous (or is it notorious?) for his roles as the titular <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Eli-Stone-Complete-First-Season/dp/B001ASIHZG/ref=ntt_tv_ep_dpt>Eli Stone, Dade Murphy in <a href=<a href=http://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Jonny-Lee-Miller/dp/6305047456/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1298596341&sr=1-1>Hackers, and Sick Boy in <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Trainspotting-Directors-Collectors-Ewan-McGregor/dp/B0001XALTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1298596293&sr=1-1>Trainspotting. Cumberbatch, meanwhile, has garnered quite a bit of justified acclaim for his role in the BBC series <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Season-One-Benedict-Cumberbatch/dp/B004132HZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298596167&sr=8-1>Sherlock.

If you happen to be near a major urban area, you might in luck if you want to see the play. If, however, you live somewhere remote like, say, Flagstaff (which is where I am), there's going to have to be a road trip involved to get some cultural enrichment.

Source: <a href=http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/61172/venues-amp-booking/usa-venues.html>National Theatre via <a href=http://io9.com/#!5769420/danny-boyles-frankenstein-leaps-off-the-stage-and-into-movie-theaters>io9

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[Jamous]

I love the story, and I love the actors. Assuming a hideous calamity does not befall the universe, this looks to be brilliant. I want it. I want it now.
Also one of my favourite quotes in that little trailer. I'll say it again. Looks to be awesome.

 

[The Great JT]

When you said "Sick Boy," I thought you meant the WCW wrestler. Though on reflection I'm glad it's not.

Wrestlers will never be as cool as wrestlemen.

 

[Just_A_Glitch]

Danny Boyle is one of those directors that I will follow to the end of the Earth (or to the sun and back!) So I'm going to assume he will be able to turn this horribly told wonderful story into a masterpiece.

I'm actually excited for Frankenstein... Dear god, miracles can happen.

 

[Nairang]

i like(hate)how Denmark and germany has no showings of it, shows how cultural adpet we are(a dane myself)

 

[Novania]

I had no sound when I was watching that so I was like: "wuuuuuuut?"

 

[Jaebird]

If it's any better than the Frankenstein movie with Robert DeNiro as the infamous creation, then I'll be sure to check this out. I somehow doubt it'll be opening in my local theater, but I can only hope for the DVD release, via Netflix.

 

[TheEvilCheese]

So yeah, I saw it last night and it was pretty damn good.
I can see why they'd want to switch roles each night as the creature has a very... physical part. Must be tiring as hell.

The leads were excellent, especially Cumberbatch (who was playing the creature) and the acting in general was to a very high standard. There were one or two minor characters who didn't really seem to know how to react, it felt like they were just going through the motions.
The lighting and sounds were excellent; and the stage itself is very versatile offering the opportunity to have multiple levels or just one.

All in all, well worth it. The student tickets cost £16.50 and the full price was £45 (for my seats). Which seems reasonable.

 

[shirin238]

Holy crap, I just read the book for college. This must be a sign that I must watch this.

 

[googleback]

Benedict Cumberbatch, best name ever. He was really good in Sherlock.

 

[Daveman]

Sorry but somebody mentions Jonny Lee Miller and nobody thinks GAH!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299854/
He was in a film called... THE ESCAPIST.

It's fantastic if you ever fancy watching it. It also has Andy Serkis being fucking terrifying so yeah, watch that shit.

Also I loved Sherlock so I am similarly excited about that. But it's not like I'm actually going to watch it in honesty.

 

[jebussaves88]

And of course this is great, because of the video game adaptation they're doing... what? There isn't one? That can't be true! Otherwise this would just be another in a long line of irrelevant to gaming articles by the Escapist purely to rope in viewing numbers.

 

[The Cheezy One]

Danny Boy-le is one of favourite directors, such as the first 50 minutes of Sunshine, before it jumps the shark! And the 28 series, etc.

 

[catalyst8]

Boyle & Cumberbatch have excellent theatrical track records, though I'm very surprised to see someone unproven like Miller take one of the leads. He might be a reasonable screen actor, but theatre is a very different craft. But even with my reservations I've got some really good stalls row D tickets to see this at the Olivier.

For anyone interested in high quality theatre who can't make it to the National it's well worth visiting the National Theatre Live's home page [http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ntlive]. Admittedly a screening won't have anywhere near as much impact as the real thing, but even a live screened play is a vast improvement in so many ways over the artistic sterility of Hollywood. NT Live broadcast various plays including Hamlet, King Lear, & even some ballet from the Bolshoi & the Royal Ballet. Worth checking out.