Danny Boyle’s ‘Frankenstein’ Stage Play To Be Broadcast In Cinemas
DirectorDanny Boylewon’t be making a new film for the next year, because he’s got aNational Theatrestage version ofMary Shelley’s Frankensteinto direct in the UK, and then he’s got to work on pageantry for the London Olympics. The first ten weeks ofFrankensteinare already sold out, but due to that success the production has been given a longer life, and tickets for performances into May will be on sale soon.
For everyone else, however, there is still a way to see Danny Boyle’sFrankenstein, as an performance of the play will be broadcast to 375 screens around the world — 85 in the US — on March 17.
Deadlinesays that there will also be a second broadcast for the UK and Europe on March 24. And there’s an interesting twist to that encore broadcast: two key actors will switch roles.Frankenstein, adapted byNick Dear, starsJohnny Lee Milleras Frankenstein andBenedict Cumberbatchas the monster on March 17, while the two actors will flip roles for the show on the 24th. This mirrors how the show is being staged, so both actors get to really get their hands (and heads) dirty with both roles.
Up to eight cameras will be employed to capture the play for broadcast, and while it isn’t meant to look like a movie there is work being done, as with past National Theatre broadcasts, to make the visual presentation more dynamic than a camera or two pointed at the stage.
And after these projects are done, what will Danny Boyle direct next? There is apossible third filmin the28 Days Laterseries, and arecently-mentionedwerewolf film, as well as other possible projects. Don’t expect anything to be set in stone for quite some time.
