MARKING the bi-centenary of the creation of Frankenstein, Blackeyed Theatre’s brand new stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror masterpiece embarks on a five-month UK tour, appearing at Malvern Theatres from Monday, February 13 to Wednesday, February 15.

Geneva, 1816 - Victor Frankenstein is in obsessive pursuit of nature’s secret, the elixir of life itself. But nothing can prepare him for what he creates. So begins a gripping life or death adventure taking him to the ends of the earth and beyond.

Adapted by John Ginman, who penned Blackeyed Theatre’s hugely successful 2013 production of Dracula, this world premiere fuses bold ensemble storytelling, live music, puppetry and stunning theatricality to create a fresh telling of what has become a landmark work of literature.

A unique feature of the production is the use of Bunraku-style puppetry to portray The Creature. Designed and built by Yvonne Stone (Warhorse, His Dark Materials), the full size puppet, which needs up to three people to manipulate it, adds an exciting new dimension to the retelling of the classic story.

John Ginman comments, "Working on this has left me full of admiration for the achievement of the nineteen-year-old novice writer, who responded to the challenge of inventing a ghost story ‘to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart’. This version seeks to provoke thought and discussion around many key issues that have renewed significance for us today including the ethics of genetic experimentation, and the causes of violent behaviour in some marginalised social groups."

Frankenstein is at Malvern Theatres from Monday to Wednesday next week. To book, call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit malvern-theatres.co.uk