I saw a lot of Benedict fans saying that seeing him as Victor is a waste as it's a bit-part and he doesn't really have much to do.... I don't think I saw the same show as them. They really didn't. I think at the back of my brain it was missing Benedict for the first 5mins after his initial part but then my brain was distracted by the staging and Johnny Lee Miller and his amazing acting!
The staging was gorgeous and very very well done, I can totally understand why Danny Boyle has said the show could never transfer because they need the Olivier stage. It was all simple but very well used. YES! 1000% It won't work on any other stage. I am also very excited to go and see something at the National, because I've been inside the building, but never into the Olivier theatre. So I apologise in advance if I start being a dork of epic proportions on Tuesday.
Honestly, I don't think those earlier scenes needed Victor, and I didn't miss Benedict, or sit there going 'when is he baaack?' like people suggested I would be, the show was captivating itself, not to mention the incredible Jonny Lee Miller.
I totally understand your love for that stage oh my god. It's so glorious from our seats as well!
I honestly cannot wait to see the show again. I don't think I've been this excited since Rocky Horror! I definitely wasn't this excited to see it the first time. How are we gonna survive the train ride there, and the 3 hours in London before the show!?!
I love the early scenes with the creature coming to life, that's what made me fall in love with the stage if I'm honest. I was just sat there staring at it open mouthed because it's so brilliantly done. I believe I rambled enough about the staging and symbolism in my own journal, so I won't repeat myself. ;)
THANK YOU! Now you understand why I want to steal the stage? And not just because I'm crazy... It's an absolutely fantastic space, and this is now my aim in life - to get something I've written on at the National.
I don't know, I really don't. But I have to get through an afternoon of writing before I can be excited. I'm sure we'll manage... somehow.
Hoorah, I'm so glad you finally got a chance to see it! To be quite honest, I agree with you about the Victor casting. I saw the NTLive screening with Benedict as the Creature last month, and while Ben was nothing short of fantastic in the role, as I left the theatre, the only thing on my mind was how much I really-really-REALLY wanted to see Ben as Victor. Sadly, I'll never get the chance outside of a bootleg, but it makes me happy to come across people who thoroughly enjoy(ed) Cumbercreator. :)
Oh little fyi, if a guy leaves through a door that isn't the stage door, puts his motorbike helmet on straight away and starts loading his stuff into his motorbike then he probably isn't interested in having stuff shoved in his face to be signed. Just a thought.
Ugh. Even I'm finding some of his fans to be incredibly annoying as of late. I can only imagine how he feels.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
PS: You have the slickest layout known to man. I love it!
I really loved Benedict as Victor, he did the role so perfectly it was astounding, how anyone could honestly think it was a bit part is beyond me. I mean I understand if someone prefers the casting the other way round but the things I've heard about the role of Victor are not true at all. It's a fantastic role and Benedict does it complete justice
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Great review. In my area, they only ran one showing of NT Live with BC as Victor and it sold out very early so I had no chance to see him in this.
I actually thought the "train" (if that is what it was meant to be) was an interesting commentary on humans and technology and the Creature's confrontation with this "animal" near the beginning of the story really posed the question in an artful way as to who the real monsters are in this tale. As you said, a very clever re-invention of Mary Shelley's vision.
Oh I wasn't saying I believed the train to be pointless, quite the opposite actually, I fully agree with you. Some reviewers however said the train was rather OTT and pointless in terms of plot/development etc and was more just a pretty symbol, so I can understand why they said that but I can disagree wholeheartedly.
And btw, as regards the behavior of the fans at the stage door--this is why actors wind up hiring bodyguards, unfortunately. I'm sure BC would have loved someone burly and no-nonsense to make those people "move along, now."
The sense of entitlement towards artists people manifest never fails to amaze me...
Yeah Victor is definitely a less physical role, but that doesn't mean it's not a good role, like some fans are making it out to be. I just loved the whole thing, I'm looking forward to seeing it swapped, I can't really compare it until I have, so I'm sure there'll be more posts soon :D
I'm so glad you got the chance to see the production -- and that you'll see it again with the roles reversed. I've now seen it twice with each of Jonny and Benedict in the two roles.
Personally, I thought Jonny was brilliant as the Creature; his interpretation of the role brings out the darkness and malevolence inherent in the Creature. And his physicality in the role is brilliant. Benedict's Creature is different -- but no less fascinating. You're in for a treat!!
As for Victor, he's essential and although the role doesn't have the immediate impact of the Creature, the production revolves around the two of them. The scenes between Victor and the Creature are the most intense of the production; you need two powerful actors to carry them off. And now, having seen each of them in the role, I have even more respect for Benedict's "Victor" -- he brings the brilliance and arrogance of Victor to life so effortlessly. I'm very much looking forward to your thoughts after you've seen the second show.
I completely agree with what you say about Victor and The Creature's scenes being the most intense, Benedict and Jonny are utterly fantastic both on their own, and together, they play off each other very well.
I cannot wait to see the reversed cast, I'm very interested to see the different spins each actor brings to their different roles.
As for the role of Victor, I think many people have dismissed it as not important simply because he's not in it as much as The Creature, which couldn't be farther from the truth.
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The staging was gorgeous and very very well done, I can totally understand why Danny Boyle has said the show could never transfer because they need the Olivier stage. It was all simple but very well used. YES! 1000% It won't work on any other stage. I am also very excited to go and see something at the National, because I've been inside the building, but never into the Olivier theatre. So I apologise in advance if I start being a dork of epic proportions on Tuesday.
ZOMG! I'm so excited! XD IS IT TUESDAY YET?!
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I totally understand your love for that stage oh my god. It's so glorious from our seats as well!
I honestly cannot wait to see the show again. I don't think I've been this excited since Rocky Horror! I definitely wasn't this excited to see it the first time. How are we gonna survive the train ride there, and the 3 hours in London before the show!?!
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THANK YOU! Now you understand why I want to steal the stage? And not just because I'm crazy... It's an absolutely fantastic space, and this is now my aim in life - to get something I've written on at the National.
I don't know, I really don't. But I have to get through an afternoon of writing before I can be excited. I'm sure we'll manage... somehow.
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Oh little fyi, if a guy leaves through a door that isn't the stage door, puts his motorbike helmet on straight away and starts loading his stuff into his motorbike then he probably isn't interested in having stuff shoved in his face to be signed. Just a thought.
Ugh. Even I'm finding some of his fans to be incredibly annoying as of late. I can only imagine how he feels.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
PS: You have the slickest layout known to man. I love it!
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I actually thought the "train" (if that is what it was meant to be) was an interesting commentary on humans and technology and the Creature's confrontation with this "animal" near the beginning of the story really posed the question in an artful way as to who the real monsters are in this tale. As you said, a very clever re-invention of Mary Shelley's vision.
Best, Shimmer
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The sense of entitlement towards artists people manifest never fails to amaze me...
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(The comment has been removed)
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Personally, I thought Jonny was brilliant as the Creature; his interpretation of the role brings out the darkness and malevolence inherent in the Creature. And his physicality in the role is brilliant. Benedict's Creature is different -- but no less fascinating. You're in for a treat!!
As for Victor, he's essential and although the role doesn't have the immediate impact of the Creature, the production revolves around the two of them. The scenes between Victor and the Creature are the most intense of the production; you need two powerful actors to carry them off. And now, having seen each of them in the role, I have even more respect for Benedict's "Victor" -- he brings the brilliance and arrogance of Victor to life so effortlessly. I'm very much looking forward to your thoughts after you've seen the second show.
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I cannot wait to see the reversed cast, I'm very interested to see the different spins each actor brings to their different roles.
As for the role of Victor, I think many people have dismissed it as not important simply because he's not in it as much as The Creature, which couldn't be farther from the truth.
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