MARY SHELLEY’S ~ FRANKENSTEIN ~
Written By: Nick Dear
Creative Team: Directed By Justine C. Lewis
Made famous by The National Theatre in 2011
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller as
Victor Frankenstein and The Creature respectively.
Nick Dear’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel retells the well-known story from the point of view of The
Creature.
The Creature is created by Victor Frankenstein, a troubled, young scientist who has grown frustrated by traditional
scientific methods. His ego and dark ambition drive him to play with life itself and he succeeds in bringing The
Creature to life.
Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in his form, the bewildered Creature is abandoned in a hostile world by his
horror-struck maker. Due to his terrifying appearance, The Creature experiences cruelty, prejudice, and fear wherever
he goes.
He slowly learns the ways of the world and is educated by Old Man De Lacey, a blind man who provides The
Creature with the kindness, empathy, and friendship he desperately craves; However, when Old Man De Lacey’s
family turn on the Creature, his hope of finding a kinder place in the world is dashed. The Creature embarks upon a
violent killing spree, determined to track down his maker Victor Frankenstein and force him to provide The Creature
with the companion he desperately craves. Frankenstein’s abandonment of The Creature sets into motion a downward
spiral of catastrophic events that destroy Frankenstein’s loved ones and, ultimately, binds him to his Creature…
Forever!
Nick Dear’s 2011 retelling of Mary Shelley’s 1816 intriguing, Gothic, cautionary tale proves that actions have
consequences and no matter how hard we try, there is a monster within us all!
Information Session:
47 BARTON DR
Audition Information: https://www.trybooking.com/DMPLA
| Audition Information #:1 | |
| Date: | 13/06/2026 |
| Time From – Time to: | 13:00 – 18:00 |
| Audition Information #:2 | |
| Date: | 14/06/2026 |
| Time From – Time to: | 13:00 – 18:00 |
| Character Descriptions #:1 | |
| Role Name: | THE CREATURE |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 30s |
| Role Information: | The shows duel protagonist and antagonist alongside Victor Frankenstein The character of The Creature will require a vast grip of physicality and facial expressions thus having a wide range of movement will be beneficial if considering auditioning for this role. The Creature is born from Victor’s ego to process power, knowledge and to prove a point. Sewn together from deceased corpses and born again essentially as a newborn in a fully grown body needing to learn the ways of the world again. He is shunned by society because of his looks. After finding a temporary fatherly figure in Old Man De Lacy his is shown love, kindness and is given education. However this is short lived after being discovered by Old Man De Lacy’s son and daughter-in-law. Taking his lessons taught to him this starts a domino effect of his own interpretation of justification and morality, resulting in anger and violence. He ultimately is trying to seek love and he attempts to solicit it from his creator as well as a companion. It is only when this is denied by Victor that The Creature sets into motion the final sequence of catastrophic events that destroy Frankenstein’s loved ones ultimately bonding himself permanently to his creator; which he deems his true ‘father’ and in his own twisted interpretation is the only of love he knows and will ever know. Initially Innocent, Intelligent, Curious, Strong, Self preserving, Lonely, Loving, Cunning and A Retributionist.(Please Note: Role requires (possibly) two featured interpretive dance/movement scenes that is performed with the actress playing The Female Creature to Alex Warren’s- Ordinary; the other being with the actor playing Victor Frankenstein to Sia’s-Alive. Dance experience is not essential but must be able to move to music. Also please further note this character is required to portray an illusion of nudity through the use of theatrical means i.e. Costume and make-up. Furthermore in this adaptation of Frankenstein this character is to partake in a scene involving a non consensual sexual encounter with the actress playing Elizabeth and will be required to portray a simulation of sexual assault (SA) on stage. Discretion is advised if considering auditioning for this role.) |
| Character Descriptions #:2 | |
| Role Name: | VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 20s |
| Role Information: | The show’s duel protagonist and antagonist alongside The Creature. Victor is a university chemistry and biology student. He believes in pushing the boundaries of science and is ever in pursuit of knowledge, consequences be dammed. He is very tunnel minded, hot headed and headstrong he doesn’t think things through. He created his Creature just to prove that he could then abandons him out of fear. Constantly thinks he is doing the right thing but pushes away those he loves and who love him thus creating his own isolation and downfall as he loses everything except his creation. Self-Assured, Head Strong, Cocky, Closed-off , Constantly Denying and Self-Righteous(Please Note: This Character may be required to partake in an interpretive dance/movement scene that is performed with the actor playing The Creature to Sia’s -Alive. Dance experience is not essential but must be able to have the ability to move to music.) |
| Character Descriptions #:3 | |
| Role Name: | ELIZABETH LAVENZA |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 20s |
| Role Information: | Victor’s Cousin (Adopted) and Fiancée. She is the tragic Heroine of the show. Kind hearted, sweet and fair, she doesn’t understand her Fiancé’s distance from her. She tries to do her best to understand Victor and his work but feels constantly pushed away (unbeknownst to her his distance is for her safety). She is the only female character in the show to show The Creature genuine Love and understand even offering to be a ‘friend’. She is ultimately defiled and killed by The Creature as a cruel jab at his creator Victor. Loving, Strong, Kind-Hearted, Understanding and Passionate.(Please Note: In this adaptation of Frankenstein this character is to partake in a scene involving a non consensual sexual encounter with the actor playing The Creature and will be required to portray a simulation of sexual assault (SA) on stage. Discretion is advised if considering auditioning for this role.) |
| Character Descriptions #:4 | |
| Role Name: | OLD MAN DE LACEY |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 50s |
| Role Information: | An old man and former university professor who has been rendered blind. He is The Creatures surrogate father and is the first person The Creature encounters to show him any sort of kindness. He teaches The Creature how to speak, read and write and attempts to teach him morality and about the world. Kind, Fatherly, Well to-do and Knowledgeable. |
| Character Descriptions #:5 | |
| Role Name: | FELIX DE LACEY |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 30s |
| Role Information: | Old Man De Lacy’s son and Agatha’s husband. Initially he is open-minded to the help The Creature brings until actually seeing The Creature. He believes he will harm his father and believes his father is crazy. He attempts to kill The Creature merely for the way he looks despite presenting no initial harm. Devoted to his wife and father and does his best to make the most of their new situation as farmers. Open Minded and loving to a point, hard working and strong. |
| Character Descriptions #:6 | |
| Role Name: | AGATHA DE LACEY |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 25 |
| Role Information: | Old Man De Lacy’s daughter- in-law and Felix’s wife. She is less open-minded to the mysterious help that unknowingly to them both is being provided by The Creature. She is caring and kind towards her husband and father-in-law doing what she can for them in their situation. However she too is driven by fear upon seeing The Creature urging her husband to ‘kill’ and ‘thrash’ it. Loving, Devoted, Hard Working and Motherly. |
| Character Descriptions #:7 | |
| Role Name: | MONSIEUR FRANKENSTEIN |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 50s |
| Role Information: | Victor and William’s father. Lost his wife in childbirth, therefore he tries to love and be encouraging of both his sons .Essentially he would do anything for them. He supports Victor’s wish to go to University as well as supporting the relationship between Elizabeth (Victor & William’s adopted cousin) and Victor. After losing William he desperately tries to support Victor but ultimately realises he can only do so much and blames himself for the path Victor ultimately takes. Loving, Supportive, Encouraging, Down to Earth and Well to do. |
| Character Descriptions #:8 | |
| Role Name: | WILLIAM FRANKENSTEIN |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 13 |
| Role Information: | Victor’s little brother, Monsieur Frankenstein’s youngest son and Elizabeth’s cousin. Initially befriends The Creature until he sees it and tries to run. William is killed by The Creature in order to bait Victor into seeking him out. He later appears as a hallucination by a weary, malnourished Victor whist creating ‘The Female Creature’. Young, innocent, fearful, weary of The Creature. |
| Character Descriptions #:9 | |
| Role Name: | GUSTAV/EWAN |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 30s |
| Role Information: | Ewan- Rab’s uncle also an Orkney Islander Dock Worker hired by Victor to help him procure body parts for what he tells them is for medical research, but in reality is for the creation of The Female Creature. Unlike his nephew, Ewan is content to not ask questions and do the work they have been commissioned to do no matter how unethical it may be. Tells his nephew to keep his head down and gets on with it. Down-to-earth, Content, Hardworking, Salt-of-the-earth, Gruff, Unwilling to disturb.(Role only requires a small amount of stage time and hence this role may be merged with that of Travelling Beggar Gustav.)Gustav- A travelling beggar who along with his fellow travelling companion Klaus encounters the creature out in the rural countryside. Gustav & Klaus are the first characters the treat The Creature with violence and are the first characters that initially shape his impression of Mankind. Although they do not intend to act with such cruelty they believe they are acting within their best interest trying to protect each other and their property. It is only when they see The Creatures appearance that they grow violent. Brash, Protective, Territorial, Gruff, Country man. (Role only requires a small amount of stage time and hence this role may be merged with that of The Orkney Island Dock Worker Ewan. Actor must have a wide range to portray both characters.) |
| Character Descriptions #:10 | |
| Role Name: | RAB/KLAUS |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 30s |
| Role Information: | Rab- Ewan’s nephew and an Orkney Islander Dock Worker hired by Victor to help him procure body parts for what he tells them is for medical research, but in reality is for the creation of The Female Creature. He is distrusting and fearful but goes along with the work at the behest of his uncle and the money offered by Victor. Down-to-earth, Distrusting but Hardworking, gruff, salt-of-the-earth.(Role only requires a small amount of stage time and hence this role may be merged with that of Travelling Beggar Klaus.)Klaus- A travelling beggar who along with his fellow travelling companion Gustav encounters the creature out in the rural countryside. Gustav & Klaus are the first characters that treat The Creature with violence and are the first characters that initially shape his impression of Mankind. Although they do not intend to act with such cruelty they believe they are acting within their best interest trying to protect each other and their property. It is only when they see The Creatures appearance that they grow violent. Brash, Protective, Territorial, Gruff, Country man. (Role only requires a small amount of stage time and hence this role may be merged with that of The Orkney Island Dock Worker’s Nephew Rab. Actor must have a wide range to portray both characters.) |
| Character Descriptions #:11 | |
| Role Name: | GRETEL/CLARICE |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 20s |
| Role Information: | Gretel- A sex worker/prostitute and The Creature’s first interaction with a human being other than Victor. Initially she treats him with kindness as he inadvertently saves her from a violent client. While at first being grateful and receptive to his advances upon seeing his face she is fearful and flees. Alluring, Sweet, Down-to-earth and Flirtatious.(Role only requires a small amount of stage time and hence this role may be merged with that of Elizabeth’s Lady In Waiting Clarice.)Clarice- Elizabeth’s Lady in Waiting and one of Mousier Frankenstein’s closest confidants. She is loyal to the Frankenstein Household, Clarice offers Elizabeth advice over her relationship with Victor. She is also deeply supportive of Mousier Frankenstein at William’s death and is a shoulder to cry on when he believes he is a failure of a father over Victor’s fate. Motherly, Mature, Supportive and Loyal. (Role only requires a small amount of stage time and hence this role may be merged with that of Sex Worker/ Prostitute Gretel. Actress must have a wide range to portray both characters.) |
| Character Descriptions #:12 | |
| Role Name: | THE FEMALE CREATURE |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | Requested in desperation by The Creature as a plea to Victor’s grandiose ego. The Female Creature is designed to be The Creature’s polar opposite in every way; The Beauty to this Beast, the goddess to his demon. She is The Creature’s only wish from his ‘father ‘so as not to be forced to spend eternity alone and not to finally know love. Upon being created before she can be fully reanimated she is destroyed by Victor as he fears unleashing another blight upon humanity and does not want to risk The Creature’s having children.
(Please Note: Role only requires a small amount of stage time and has no spoken dialogue. However she does have a featured interpretive dance/movement scene that is performed with the actor playing The Creature to Alex Warren’s- Ordinary. Dance experience is not essential but must be able to move to music. |
More Information at: phoenixvareity.musicgroup@gmail.com
Content Warning:
Phoenix Variety and Music Group wish to advise those who audition for the roles of ‘The Creature’, ‘The Female Creature’ and ‘Elizabeth’ that this version by Nick Dear contains material that is of a sensitive nature. This includes nudity being alluded too, simulated non-consensual encounters and sexual assault. The intention is to imply these things through costuming, staging, lighting and the power of suggestion.
Audition Venue:
Noarlunga Uniting Church Hall
23 William Road, Christies Beach
General Audition Information:
Auditions will be allotted to a time slot of approximately 10 minutes each.
If you wish to audition for more than one character then it may be prudent to book a double timeslot.
We advise that you arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before your audition in order to settle and get yourself in your performance headspace. Also in this time you’ll be asked to fill out the required paperwork for your audition.
Please book your audition timeslot(s) via the link below
https://www.trybooking.com/DMPLA
Once booked please email the PVMG secretary Tania Corr with the character(s) you have selected to receive your script excerpts to prepare for your audition. Tania can be contacted at the email below
phoenixvariety.musicgroup@gmail.com
In your timeslot you will be asked to read the script excerpts in character with Dennis then you’ll be asked to perform the piece acting alongside him on the floor.
You may be asked to perform the piece again taking direction from the director.
We ask that you please dress comfortably and bring a drink bottle as well as a headshot.
(If you don’t have a ‘professional’ headshot we will accept your best selfie ^_^)
If you wish to bring an item that you believe will help you get into character.
E.g. Glasses, a scarf, a cane etc. Please feel free to do so as we do admire passion and excitement.
However this is not at all necessary.
Finally I please ask that you bring your best can-do/ enthusiastic attitude as I’d like this to be a fun show
-well as fun a show about death, murder and reanimation can be -which I endeavour to portray from the word go.
We want you to feel relaxed and comfortable.
Above all we want you to have fun and absolutely go for it!
Please note all successful auditionees will be required to become financial member of
Phoenix Variety and Music Group. Details to be confirmed at a later date.
Detailed Accent Information:
All characters are required to sport a European accent or at least a British one. However, for some characters I am looking for more specific dialects as indicted below
THE CREATURE:
For the Creature I am looking for him to sport two accents. Firstly, a parroting of Klaus/Gustav accents as these are the first words spoken to him that he repeats later in the show. Later switching to a Received Pronunciation (RP) accent to reflect the lessons and patterns learnt from Old Man De Lacy. Thus creating another example of juxtaposition between his ‘monstrous’ appearance to the eloquence of his vocal abilities.
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, ELIZABETH LAVENZA, WILLIAM FRANKENSTEIN, MONSUIER FRANKENSTEIN & OLD MAN DE LACY:
I am looking for Received Pronunciation (RP), commonly referred to as the Queen’s or the King’s English. Typical, upmarket and the go-to accent, very prim and proper.
GUSTAV, KLAUS, GRETEL, CLARICE, AGATHA DE LACY & FELIX DE LACY:
For these characters I am looking for a plethora of working class/ lower class accents. A few examples are as follows; Yorkshire, Gordie, Cockney, Irish, Essex, German, Swiss or Estuary. These are to accentuate that the characters are in working class positions. Thus providing a distinct juxtaposition from the Upper-Class characters. By invoking the vast dialects drawn from across Europe this fleshes out the world and allows the audience to acknowledge the different countries that the show takes place in as well as how vast this story stretches.
RAB & EWAN:
As these characters hail from Orkney archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. I am looking for a Scottish Orkney or Scottish Glasgow accent as these dialects are very country, rural, rough and harsh as well as of course being native to the region. This will also reflect the working-class nature as well as further differentiate these characters from the other roles these actors may play i.e. Gustav and Klaus.
Contact: Justine Lewis
phoenixvariety.musicgroup@gmail.com
0431987988
