Mel Brooks’ quirky musical Young Frankenstein receives its West End premiere at London’s Garrick Theatre, opening for a limited season beginning September 2017. Based on the 1974 Oscar-nominated film co-written with Thomas Meehan and starring Gene Wilder, the brand new production follows a Broadway run that closed in 2009.
Young Frankenstein is the wickedly inspired re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, which sees the creation of a creature that cannot be controlled. When Frederick Frankenstein, a New York brain surgeon and professor, inherits a Transylvanian castle and laboratory from his genius, but deranged grandfather, Victor Von Frankenstein, he quickly has some decisions to make.
Facing a scary dilemma, young Frankenstein must choose whether to run from his grandfather’s frightening legacy or to continue to crazily experiment with reanimating the dead. And, in the process, will he fall in love with his sultry lab assistant, Inga?
Originally opening on Broadway in 2007, directed by Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein received a variety of views, running for 484 performances. Stroman returns to direct a revamped, restyled production, reuniting with Mel Brooks and the creative team behind their last hit, The Producers.
A hilarious parody of cult horror films, Young Frankenstein begins previews at the Garrick Theatre on September 28th 2017, with a press night on October 10th 2017.
Based on the 1974 film, Young Frankenstein features a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, whose previous musicals include The Producers. Susan Stroman (The Scottsboro Boys, Crazy for You) directs and choreographs, with set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by William Ivey Long, orchestrations by Dough Besterman, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Gareth Owen.
Casting has been announced, including Hadley Fraser (Les Miserables, City of Angels) as Dr Frankenstein, comedian Ross Noble as Igor, who is best known for his appearances on Have I Got News for You and QI, as well as Lesley Joseph as Frau Blucher, Diane Pilkington, Summer Strallen and Patrick Clancy.
Additional casting includes Imogen Brooke, Matt Crandon, Nathan Elwick, Kelly Ewins-Prouse, Andrew Gordon-Watkins, Sammy Kelly, Richard Pitt, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Gemma Scholes, Emily Squibb, Aron Wild and Josh Wilmott