Royal Ballet’s ‘Frankenstein’ being screened

This is a first for Australian ballet lovers! The Friends of The Australian Ballet—the principal support group in NSW for The Australian Ballet—has announced it will present the first national screening of The Royal Ballet’s new production of Frankenstein.

The organisation’s screening announcement stated, “Gone are memories of Boris Karloff and Kenneth Branagh. The Royal Ballet, based in the famous Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, has turned Mary Shelley’s gothic classic into a full-length story ballet.”

The Royal Ballet’s Artist-in-Residence Liam Scarlett, one of the hottest young talents today, choreographed the production, which has been described as heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Scarlett was the visionary behind the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s brand-new A Midsummer Night’s Dream production last year.

The exclusive screening of Frankenstein for The Friends of The Australian Ballet is set for Wednesday, June 29.

The period adaptation returns to the original themes of Shelley’s novel. Steering away from the horror stereotypes associated with the title, Scarlett penetrates the heart and soul of the drama with a tale that is ultimately a love story. Fueled by grief at the death of his mother, Victor Frankenstein does the impossible and creates life from non-living matter. Terrified by what he has created, Victor abandons the Creature, dooming it to a life of loneliness – a decision that costs Victor and his fiancée Elizabeth terribly.

Starring Principals Laura Morera, Federico Bonelli and Australia’s own Steven McRae, the narrative explores humanity’s craving for companionship, understanding, and the possibilities and responsibilities of scientific discovery.

This production features a dramatic new score by Lowell Liebermann and grand gothic sets by Scarlett’s regular designer John Macfarlane.

Frankenstein, from London’s Covent Garden, screens as part of the 2016 Palace Opera & Ballet Cinema Season. Guests to the Friends of The Australian Ballet’s premier screening will also enjoy a prescreening talk about the production and champagne on arrival.

Tickets are available at www.fab.org.au or by phone at 02 9252 7322.

Photo: Steven McRae as The Creature and Federico Bonelli as Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein. Photo by Bill Cooper.