FRANKENSTEIN is helping raise awareness of mental health issues in Rugby.
Frankenstein: Man or Monster is a new comedy show, researched, written and performed by Augustus Stephens of Mad Tom Theatre with contributions by people from Rugby and beyond, which can be seen at the Town and County Club in Henry Street, on Friday (May 12).
Victor Frankenstein lives in a flat in Brownsover but has delusions of grandeur and thinks he is making life, but when lightning strikes a monster really is created who has his own problems and cannot seem to fit in.
The show’s main characters have different mental illnesses and are based on the testimonies of real people. It gives an insight into people’s struggles but in the surreal world of Doctor Frankenstein in which everyone, even the Monster, gets to sing a song.
Augustus, who himself has mental illness, said: “I empathise with Frankenstein’s monster who, like many with mental illness, finds that people fear and shun him even though he’s hurt no-one. In this version of the story he is an innocent, unable to understand the world he comes into and whose only friend is a teddy bear.”
Mad Tom Theatre was created last year to continue and expand the work started by Augustus in the fields of mental illness, with the aim of increasing tolerance, reduce stigma – and to give people a good laugh.
The show is on for one night only. Tickets are £7 (£5 concessions) on the door. The show starts at 8pm.
Visit www.augustusemperors.com for further details.
