NT Live

I've been intrigued by the National Theatre's production of Frankenstein since I first heard about it. Of course, by that point it was too late as the entire run had already long since sold out, and I don't have the opportunity (or desire) to queue outside the NT all night for day seats. 

Not to worry though, NT Live were going to broadcast two performances to selected cinemas in March. Sadly, even these sold out before I could book tickets, such is the popularity of the Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller double hander. And I'll be honest, the reason that it sold out before I booked was because I wasn't sure that it was worth shelling out £16.50 just to watch it on a screen. By the time I made up my mind that I had to see what the fuss was about, it was too late.

Thankfully, today the Glasgow Film Theatre was showing a recording of one of the screenings, with Miller as the Creature and Cumberbatch as Frankenstein, and this time I managed to get a ticket.

Obviously, watching from the distance of a cinema screen is not the same as watching live in a theatre. In the theatre you are free to focus on whichever part of the action you like - in these screenings, the decision of what you watch at any given moment is made for you by the director. So it's more than a little frustrating to be treated to a close up of one actor over another, thus depriving you of the chance to see the reactions of the other performers.  Or to be shown aerial views of the stage - this is not what the set was designed for, and these shots only served to emphasise that this was not the true theatrical experience.

All that can be forgiven, however, as the strength of the acting overcame any quibbles about camera angles. Both Miller and Cumberbatch were extraordinary, and I feel privileged to have witnessed their performances, albeit from a slight distance.  And the atmosphere in the GFT suggests that the majority of the audience felt the same way, even if they were slightly confused as to whether they should applaud the recording at the end.

Perhaps my only quibble would be that, for some reason, the NT didn't record the version with Cumberbatch as the Creature and Miller as Frankenstein, so I still need to try to sell one of my limbs to see it next time I'm in London.....