Mary Shelley would have loved Young Frankenstein!

The Media Theatre produced a riotous production of Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s Young Frankenstein. I loved every minute of it, and I think Mary Shelley would have too!

Set in the same universe as the 1931 film, Young Frankenstein follows the story of Friedrich Frankenstein as he attempts at recreating his grandfather’s famous project. Almost every aspect of Shelley’s classic story, and Whale’s 1931 film adaptation, are mocked and turned comedic. It is with the greatest, most wonderful disrespect that the actors portrayed the doctor’s journey to the Frankenstein castle and completion of the gruesome task.

My favorite scene was tap number, obviously. I can’t even begin to describe how hilarious it was. But it was also weirdly heartwarming? You just have to see for yourself. 

I loved loved loved loved LOVED this musical!!!!!

Frankenstein has sort of consumed my life over the past two years. Adaptations of Shelley’s novel have specifically held a special place in my heart and mind, to a point that might be as unhealthily obsessive as that of the original Victor. I think it’s fantastic that Young Frankenstein takes a story which is so serious and so profound and renders it more accessible. It’s entertaining, hilarious, enjoyable, and comfortable to experience. The same themes, though, still shine through. The creature’s humanity is largely apparent, and we get to see what may have happened had Victor accepted and nurtured his creation in Shelley’s novel. 

It’s also interesting to follow the progression of adaptations. This is, of course, a shoutout to the amazing Peggy Webling. Without her early 20th century stage adaptations, James Whale’s 1931 film would never have happened (or it would have been very different). This then caused the following Universal adaptations of the film, which then led to the Young Frankenstein musical which still performs on stages like that of the Media Theatre. 

Mary Shelley saw Richard Brinsley Peake’s Presumption, adapted from her novel and staged just a few years after its publication. She loved it and, although I’ve only read Presumption, Young Frankenstein is a lot funnier (just saying).

I shouldn’t turn this review into a rant about Mary Shelley and Peggy Webling’s impact, but I really don’t know what else to say about this musical without giving everything away. It was amazing. It was hilarious. The set design was awesome. The actor who played Igor was incredible!!!! So so so so so funny. There wasn’t a dull moment. I was completely locked into the action for the full duration of the musical. 

I’ve already said enough, so I’ll just say one more thing. Go see Young Frankenstein!!!!

Photo credit to Ashley Smith, taken from Media Theatre Instagram