Frankenstein: a double bill | 2024
1h 30min including interval
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Award-winning Mark Bruce Company presents a double bill of new work.
Liberation Day
A powerful, contemplative dance work about life, love, and the passing of time, danced to songs written by Bruce.
Frankenstein
A surreal and timeless adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel.
Bruce presents his surreal and timeless adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel, Frankenstein. Alchemy and science collide as Dr Frankenstein, goaded by an otherworldly entity, unlocks the secrets of the creation of life. Jonathan Goddard plays the role of Frankenstein’s tragic monster, sewn together from the shreds of humanity, rejected and wandering in a timeless landscape, beautifully portrayed in this profound and deeply moving production. Frankenstein features evocative music from Chopin, Penderecki and Arvo Pärt.
Frankenstein is preceded by a shorter work, Liberation Day. A powerful, contemplative dance work about life, love, and the passing of time, danced to songs written by Bruce.
With a unique choreographic language, distinctive imagery and eclectic musical scores, Bruce’s work draws from a broad spectrum of influences and has a strong cinematic quality. This multi-award-winning dance theatre company presents an exceptional cast of six dancers together with the world-class creative team which brought you previous productions such as Dracula, The Odyssey, Macbeth and Phantoms, a triple bill.
Sat 19 & Sun 20 October 2024
Portsmouth Film Society, Southsea Cinema
Thu 31 October 2024
Bridport Arts Centre with post-film Q&A by Mark Bruce
Fri 15 November 2024
Merlin Theatre, Frome with post-film Q&A by Mark Bruce
Frankenstein screening dates
Choreographed and directed by MARK BRUCE
Lighting Designer GUY HOARE
Costume Designer DOROTHEE BRODRÜCK
Props Designer PHIL EDDOLLS
Costume Assistant SARAH DICKS
Scenic Artist ROD HOLT
★★★★ The Times
“Mark Bruce’s Frankenstein is a monster tale with a big heart. The Monster is played by the extraordinary Jonathan Goddard who brings a stunning gravitas and compassion to a creature whose body is twisted and tormented by the choreography…Goddard’s performance is so mesmerising..."
★★★★ Culture Whisper
“Liberation Day, performed to six songs by Mark Bruce himself…serves as an introduction to his excellent dancers and works as a kind of amuse bouche for the meaty main course to come.“In Jonathan Goddard, a dancer of rare power and magnetism, and a veteran of Mark Bruce Company, we have a Monster of tremendous complexity…Prometheus, bringer of the fire of life, danced with great presence by a black-winged Eleanor Duval.”
★★★★ Financial Times
“A tragic dream that brings humanity to the horror…a hugely enjoyable ride. “Any Frankenstein is only as good as its monster, and Jonathan Goddard is one of the greats: a brilliantly sustained, richly detailed portrait. Goddard is an artist of extraordinary versatility, capable of investing the slightest step with dramatic purpose.”