Young Frankenstein Review – Mel Brooks’ Transylvania Trick That Will Leave You in Stitches | stage

WWhen a film is as perfect as Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, you might be forgiven for asking why there’s a need for a live-action version? And as the opening night of this show hysterically demonstrated, the potential for chaos thanks to the ephemeral nature of live theater is reason enough.

This demise creates a chain of events that sees: a member of the cast (Siméon Truby as Inspector Kemp) join the audience to watch the show, the stage manager announces that there will be a pause in the show – leaving Inspector Kemp to lie for all he’s worth – and then another member of the stage management arrives to tell the audience, “Wait here and… enjoy yourselves.” Someone eventually remembered that a cast member had been left adrift and Trubie was rescued. Then we were told that Inga (Julie Yamane) had been injured and that Jessica Wright, from the band, would be replacing Inga. Within minutes she performed an amazing tap dance routine. What other medium gives you such moments?

Who else but Mel Brooks could give you a story that both resembles and honors the original? His book, co-written by Thomas Meehan, tells the story of the grandson of a famous Shelley doctor who travels to Transylvania to claim the castle that is his inheritance. He discovers his grandfather’s experience and tries to reignite the spark of life in a new monster.

The story descends into chaos and becomes less relevant as the action goes on. It’s all about the set pieces.

Director Nick Winstone’s background as a choreographer is clear, and there is a smoothness to this production that belies its fringe theatrical beginnings. Although it looks impressive, there seems to be a missing heft, as the comedy isn’t exploited as much as it could have been – the scene with the rotating wall, iconic when performed by Gene Wilder, becomes leaden in the hands of Daniel Brocklebank’s Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. As Igor, Curtis Patrick attempts the impossible task of following Marty Feldman in the film role and his over-action sets him up for failure, but since he owns the role, he is more watchable than ever. By the time Pete Gallagher’s monster reveals his erudition, the organized chaos has become irresistible, hysterical, and truly vital.