Frankenstein: Afterglow is a neon-gothic mixture of poetry and puppetry set after Frankenstein and the Monster’s final book confrontation in the Arctic. However, in this version neither died there, with the Monster instead subduing Frankenstein and bringing him back to his home in Switzerland.
Set entirely within the room of Frankenstein’s home in which the Monster keeps him imprisoned, the show is light on plot and strong on character, and its reverence for the book – bar a couple of twists on the material – may be an advantage for those who don’t know the story well, or know and love it like a fan hearing a favourite song at a concert. Because of the subjective nature of these points, whether these two factors are criticisms or recommendations will therefore have to be left to the reader. A review is, after all, simply one person’s opinion.
But if they are read as criticisms, perhaps they should still not be allowed to put you off this show, as a familiar plot is far from all it has to offer. The show could be considered spoken word for its evocative use of language, rhythm and rhyme, but it’s also a puppet show, not only because that is how Frankenstein is represented, but also because of the performer portraying the Monster, whose physique, contortions and grimaces make him the play’s most expressive puppet. To call it a one-man show would, by comparison to most other solo performances, suggest he is doing far less than he is, creating a monster which is both supernatural and human with a grotesque precision which works for both comedy and drama when required.
A familiar story with a tour-de-force performance at its centre, Frankenstein: Afterglow traps you in a room with the Monster, bringing home his pain while keeping his crimes in with his humanity. What you do in the afterglow is up to you, but this is one performance you’ll remember.
Frankenstein’s Afterglow is running at the Space On The Mile until the 9th August. Tickets can be found at: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/frankenstein-afterglow
Reviewer: Oliver Giggins
Reviewed: 3rd August 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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