There’s still time to book seats for a special performance of Frankenstein for schools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN2hIyln6oE

Final rehearsals are under way for The Company of Ten’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to be staged at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans from Friday, February 23 to Saturday, March 3.

A limited number of seats, at a preferential rate, are available for the dedicated performance and post-show talk for schools on February 27 at 8pm.

This classic story of scientific discovery gone wrong features as a recommended ‘Gothic’ or ‘Pre-Nineteenth Century’ text on the majority of GCSE and A-level English specifications.

With its programme of performances, talks and resources, The Company of Ten is aiming to consolidate students’ understanding of the novel and celebrate the 200th anniversary of its first publication.

Herts Advertiser: Conor Gray and Sinead Dunne outside the Abbey Theatre in St Albans [Picture: Nick Clarke]Conor Gray and Sinead Dunne outside the Abbey Theatre in St Albans [Picture: Nick Clarke] (Image: Abbey Theatre)

At the conclusion of this special performance, the audience will be invited to stay in the auditorium for a chaired Q&A with the director, Sinead Dunne, cast and creative team, to learn about the process of adapting and interpreting the novel for the stage.

The panel will also be joined by Dr Samantha George, a senior lecturer in gothic literature and women’s writing at the University of Hertfordshire.

Commenting on her involvement, she said: “I am really looking forward to debating how much Frankenstein’s monster still ‘lives’ in the 21st century.

“The novel was begun when Mary Shelley was just 18 and now it is taught to 18 year olds, exactly 200 years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=802f9idWEMc

“The novel is its own creation myth, it can teach us about origins, about innocence and experience, and in encouraging us to have sympathy for the ‘other’ it allows us to question what it means to be human.”

There is a special reduced rate of £10 per ticket for students and teachers.

Additionally, one teacher will be eligible for free entry with every 10 students booked.

• For bookings, call 01727 857861 or email boxoffice@abbeytheatre.org.uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=h1MsuuGix5w

Teachers can find more information and view an introductory video at www.abbeytheatre.org.uk/join-in/education