A partnership has been announced between the Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School and Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, who together are set to produce a new production.
Image © of Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein / Ben Hewitt
The special production will explore the life and writing of Mary Shelley.
Around 20 young people, aged between 16 to 18, will work alongside local award-winning writer and director Stephanie Kempson and local theatre maker Alice Lamb on the project.
The Creator is a new immersive theatre experience, which will be devised and performed by members of Theatre Royal Bath’s youth company.
The performances, taking place from Wednesday 10th to Friday 12th April at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, will involve young theatre makers leading small audience groups on an intimate experience exploring the rooms of the museum.
Each room will reveal a fascinating insight into the life of Mary Shelley and how she came to write Frankenstein.
The Creator is one of three plays featured as part of Danse Macabre: The Art of Darkness, a festival of gothic fantasy and horror created by Theatre Royal Bath’s Theatre School.
The festival will run from 10th to 13th April showcasing three performances by theatre school members, all exploring gothic writers, storytelling and the monsters they created.
The festival also features Evermore, a devised play based on the writing of Edgar Alan Poe, appearing in the Roper Room at The Egg on 11th and 12th April, and The Monstrum by Kellie Smith appearing at The Egg on 12th and 13th April.
Participation Producer at Theatre Royal Bath, Tess Agus said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with such an exciting organisation to celebrate and commemorate the legacy of Mary Shelley.
“Mary Shelley’s story, coupled with the rich theatrical potential of the museum will enable us to create something epic.
“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our young people and enable them to experiment with their craft and push the limits of theatrical story telling.”
Opened in July 2021, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is a multi-sensory museum where visitors can discover Shelley’s unconventionally tragic life and the lasting legacy of her infamous creation.
The attraction features unusual artefacts, ominous soundtracks, bespoke smells and effects. It also features rooms dedicated to popular culture, an intimate screening room, an 8ft animated re-creation of “The Creature”, as Mary imagined, two themed Escape Rooms and, for the braver visitor, a creepy walkthrough experience in the basement.
Since opening its doors, the museum has welcomed over 67,000 visitors.
Commercial Director at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, Vicki Smith said: “We pride ourselves in collaborating with local businesses and supporting the growth of the arts in Bath.
“We have been in partnership with the Theatre Royal Bath since opening and, through this association, were able to engage with The Egg Theatre to offer our venue as a unique and immersive platform for a theatrical production designed for families.
“The quirkiness of the building and the participatory nature of the show have been curated by the amazing team at The Egg, whose audiences will undoubtedly be thrilled and entertained as the many talented young actors involved in the production of The Creator, enhance their skills and career development.”
Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School has been the resident youth theatre at Theatre Royal Bath for over 30 years.
Based at The Egg Theatre, the Theatre School offers specialised training and professional insight into the world of theatre, both on and off stage, empowering young people aged 5 to 18 to express themselves, develop meaningful connections and have fun whilst exploring theatre.
