Frankenstein by Danielle Mohlman

When Mary Shelley sits down to write Frankenstein, she’s 18 years old with everything to prove. Her husband, the poet Percy Shelley, is too in his head to notice his wife’s phenomenal talent. She’s grieving the death of her infant daughter. And in this era of gothic literature, no one wants to believe that the darkness on the page mirrors the storm in her own head. That is, until her mother shows up. The only...
When Mary Shelley sits down to write Frankenstein, she’s 18 years old with everything to prove. Her husband, the poet Percy Shelley, is too in his head to notice his wife’s phenomenal talent. She’s grieving the death of her infant daughter. And in this era of gothic literature, no one wants to believe that the darkness on the page mirrors the storm in her own head. That is, until her mother shows up. The only problem is, Mary Wollstonecraft died when Shelley was just ten days old.

This adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel explores monsters and the women who create them. It’s a play that asks the age old question: How far would you go to to outrun your ghosts?

(This play is completely high school appropriate and perfect for school productions. A radio play version of Frankenstein is also available for perusal.)
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Frankenstein

Recommended by

  • Audrey Lang:
    22 Jun. 2021
    “ Danielle Mohlman's adaptation of "Frankenstein" depicts a heartbreaking and remarkable story of love, womanhood, and family, especially mothers and their children. So often we only get to see the devastating effects that toxic masculinity can have on female characters; this play does a great job of touching on its ramifications for each and every character. With so many characters, it's especially impressive that they are all truly and deeply explored in Mohlman's expansive story! I also appreciate the exploration of women who create dark stories and have dark thoughts, and how they are (mis)treated by society. ”

Character Information

The only doubling that must happen is between MARY SHELLEY and THE CREATURE. Watching the author easily lose herself in her character is part of the fun.

The play has been written to allow for additional doubling, if necessary. PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY and VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN may be played by the same actor. The same goes for MONSIEUR BEAUFORT, who may be played by the same actor as MADAME DE LACEY. AGATHA DE LACEY and JUSTINE MORITZ may be played by the same actor, though she should remain JUSTINE in her ghostly form.

  • Mary Shelley
    19,
    Female
    Author of Frankenstein. She also plays THE CREATURE.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Percy Bysshe Shelley
    24,
    Male
    Mary Shelley's husband and a poet.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Mary Wollstonecraft
    38,
    Female
    Feminist scholar and Mary Shelley's mother. She is also a ghost.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Victor Frankenstein
    17,
    Male
    A scholar and a creator.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Henry Clerval
    18,
    Male
    Victor Frankenstein's best friend.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Alphonse Frankenstein
    63,
    Male
    Victor and William Frankenstein's father.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Monsieur Beaufort
    60s,
    Male
    Alphonse’s friend and Caroline’s father.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Caroline Frankenstein
    35,
    Female
    Victor and William Frankenstein's mother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Elizabeth Lavenza
    16,
    Female
    Victor Frankenstein's adopted sister and fiancé.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • The Creature
    Eight feet tall and terrifying, but only because we don't fully understand who he is. He is played by MARY SHELLEY.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Madame de Lacey
    37,
    Female
    The matriarch of the house The Creature observes. Blind and free of prejudice.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Agatha de Lacey
    19,
    Female
    Devoted to her family and determined to drive The Creature from her home.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • William Frankenstein
    nearly 5 years old,
    Male
    Victor Frankenstein's younger brother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Justine Moritz
    19,
    Female
    A servant at the Frankenstein home.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • The Party
    A chorus of young men and women (but mostly women) who grace the Shelley household with uproarious laughter, ardor, and joy. Within the confines of Mary Shelley’s novel, they fill every animal and human role not already spoken for.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Meridian High School
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Strand Theater
    ,
    2022
  • University
    ,
    Hollins University
    ,
    2022
  • High School
    ,
    Cherry Creek High School
    ,
    2022
  • High School
    ,
    Byron Nelson High School
    ,
    2021
  • High School
    ,
    Castaic High School
    ,
    2021
  • High School
    ,
    Mount Vernon High School
    ,
    2020
  • High School
    ,
    Village Theatre KIDSTAGE
    ,
    2020