The Stage, The Screen, and Science Fiction

[eldritchhobbit]

As a devotee of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, the Gothic tradition, and most especially early science fiction, I'm extremely excited about Nick Dear's new stage adaptation of Frankenstein, which will run next year at the National Theatre. Not only is it being directed by Danny Boyle (of 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire fame), but the play also stars Benedict Cumberbatch (from my favorite current series, Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (from Dexter), who will alternate the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. Fortunately, as part of the National Theatre Live series, a live performance of Frankenstein will be shown in select movie theaters in the United States. More details are here. I'm looking forward to it!

Speaking of science fiction (and, for that matter, reanimated bodies), the terrific Fringe will be in a new time slot when it returns to the Fox Network next month. It's the dreaded Friday night slot of death, I'm sad to say. Fox has responded to fan outrage, though, with an "In Your Face, Fox-Hater!" promo that's certainly worth a watch:

Last but not least, Turner Classic Movies creates an annual video in memory of those in the film industry who died during the year. (Last year's is here.) This is "TCM Remembers 2010":

"Fine. If you end up breaking the universe, this time it's on your head."
- Walter Bishop, Fringe, "6955 kHz"

Comments

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

A day hasn't passed that I haven't thought, "I can't believe he's gone." I'm still gobsmacked. :::cries:::

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

[mizz-history.livejournal.com]

Hmm, now that is very tempting, but the tickets are rather expensive...

::ponders::

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's less expensive than a trip to London! Well, at least for me. (See? I'm trying to "enable" you here. Can you feel the peer pressure? *wink*)

Actually, I think the prices may vary depending on the theater. Here the seating is divided into three prices, and the least expensive is roughly the same as a regular movie ticket. Of course, that may say more about the price of regular movie tickets than anything else.

Of course, you might get to see the real live thing, not the live-and-beamed-thousands-of-miles thing... :)

[mizz-history.livejournal.com]

The tickets are around £40. That's rather more than a trip to the cinema... but it really is tempting!

[brighteyed-jill.livejournal.com]

That Frankenstein news is so exciting. HOWEVER! Why is no cinema in my state (or the nearest three bordering states) participating in this event? Why?! That is just not on. I can't express how much I would like to see that. Also, you say they alternate the roles? As in, they each play both? So I wonder who get to be who for the broadcast...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ack! That's a tragedy. :( I'm having to drive a bit out of my way, but not to another state. There's no clue as to which actor will play which part, alas. Although we may know before the day of the performance, at this point it's a gamble. Since both are "starring" roles, though, I guess both actors will get ample stage time either way.

[brighteyed-jill.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested to see the show twice, just to see how the interpretation differs with the roles switched... Well, there's a slight chance I'll be in London this spring; perhaps I'll get the chance to see it live. The National's website lists who's playing what for each live performance, so then the trick would be choosing: what role do I want to see each play? Oh, the dilemma!

[madkestrel.livejournal.com]

I'm actually happy about Fringe's schedule change. Thursdays have been, for several years now, the one night I absolutely never get to watch TV, so for once I'll get to watch Fringe when the rest of the world does, and not have to wait for the weekend and Hulu. Yay!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! That works out well. I hope we viewers can buck the trend and prove that Friday night doesn't mean death for our show. It's getting too good to let it go now!

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

I so want a ringtone of Walter's shouting "DEATH! Delicious, STRAAAAAAAWWWWBERRRYYYY flavored DEATH!"

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

LOL! You and me both. :) Isn't it brilliant?

Walter is one of the very best characters on television right now. I adore him.