A one of a kind musical
British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) comes to Greenwich Theatre for the first time in the company’s history to present a reimagining of its much-loved production of Frankenstein. Performed by a cast of 38 young actors and musicians, this musical adapts Mary Shelley’s classic novel with epic, atmospheric music and haunting harmonies.
Award-winning writer Victoria Gimby joins the original writing team Jimmy Jewell and Nick Stimson to create a fresh new version of the production, 20 years after its premiere at Theatre Royal Plymouth. The show was performed the following year at Barbican Theatre Plymouth – with a cast including a young Ed Sheeran, now a BYMT Patron – and again in 2008 at London’s Cochrane Theatre.
This visceral new musical adaptation of Frankenstein rips into society’s gaze: how do we decide who is dangerous, who is worthy, and who is denied humanity altogether? Fast‑paced and drenched in tension, it hurtles through a world where snap judgements turn lethal and rejection becomes a force of its own.
Performed by a ferocious cast of young performers, this production never slows to catch its breath. Scenes snap by with cinematic intensity, driven by an urgent, propulsive score, sharp jump scares and bold theatrical set pieces that keep audiences on edge.
Relentless and unsettling, Frankenstein is a gripping theatrical experience that leaves no room to look away. This adaptation exposes the violence of judgement itself.
Jimmy Jewell, Composer: “We’re Frankenstein-ing Frankenstein! 21 years ago, Nick Stimson and I sat down to write Frankenstein and realised we needed the incredible young people at BYMT to do it with us. I was over the moon to be asked by BYMT to bring this monster back to life 20 years after its first performance, but we did need some fresh blood to get the heart pumping again, so the fabulous Vicki Gimby has donned the surgical gloves and together we are breaking the beast down and giving it new life. There’s a new energy, new songs from Nick and me, and an incredible creative team on board. I can’t wait to see what the young performers do with it, it’s going to be electric!”
Hannah Kamil, Young Company Member: “As young performers, we will bring this show to life with a fresh take on this much-loved story. I am very excited for this show to be performed again after reading the fantastic response it had in 2006. I’m very happy to be performing with BYMT in London, my hometown. The story itself is so gripping and leaves you reflecting on what it really means to be a human. I think audiences will love the show because it is a one of a kind musical that you can’t find anywhere else!”
The company is proud to announce funding from Boris Karloff Foundation to support its Creative Work Placement roles on the production. Karloff played Frankenstein’s monster in the 1931 movie.
Dates + times: 28 August, 19:30 / 29 August, 14:30 & 19:30 / 30 August, 14:30
Location: Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London, SE10 8ES
Box office: 020 8858 7755 / https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/frankenstein/
Tickets: £23.50 (£19.50 concessions)
