This ambitious production, adapted by Nick Dear, showcased the remarkable talent and dedication of a cast and crew entirely comprised of students. Dear's adaptation, famously performed by Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch at London's National Theatre, demands a high level of maturity from its actors. The Frensham cast and crew rose to the challenge magnificently.  

Particular praise goes to the principal actors, their performances were nuanced and remarkably controlled, particularly impressive for a student cast. Will Fairbrother, who embodied the tormented Creature’s raw vulnerability, creating a complex and deeply moving portrayal, summed up the experience: "The making of Frankenstein has been such a passionate project for me and is without a doubt my biggest achievement. The experience is like no other and thankfully I felt it paid off in the end, especially on the last night where I wanted to bring every last shred of emotion to the character." His dedication to the role resonated throughout the performance, making the audience truly feel the Creature's isolation and rage. 

The entire cast deserves recognition for their dedication to the production. The supporting roles were well-developed, adding depth and emotional weight to the narrative and it was clear that countless hours of rehearsal had been poured into this production, resulting in a cohesive and polished performance throughout. Headteacher Andrew Fisher could hardly contain his pride: “The lead actors were so committed for young performers. To be committed to those sorts of characters, to carry that through a difficult, challenging play and to completely hold the audience the way that they did, night after night, was something truly extraordinary.” 

While the student actors shone, the success of the play cannot be attributed solely to them. The backstage crew deserves immense credit for creating an atmosphere that was both chilling and evocative. The use of lighting and sound design effectively underscored the emotional journey of the characters and the gothic horror setting. The performance was staged innovatively with the audience almost woven into the set. The opening scene alone saw the Creature lowered from the rafters setting incredibly high expectations for a production that did not disappoint on any level.  

Drama teacher, Amanda Liddle, who led the production never doubted her students’ ability to take on mature and demanding roles: “Trying to find a play to showcase the specific talents of our students in any given year is always a time-consuming pleasure, but landing on something so far outside the normal scope is a risk. It is a testament to the talent of our whole cast and crew that this was a risk I am certain has paid off. I am immensely proud of every one of them.” 

Frankenstein showcased the raw talent, dedication, and passion of the students involved. Don't miss the opportunity to support future theatrical stars – catch their next production at Frensham Heights! 

If you’d like to find out more about Frensham Heights’ Sixth Form Arts Awards, please go to www.frensham.org/artsawards