Young Frankenstein the musical

PICK Me Up Theatre artistic director Robert Readman is producing the northern premiere of Mel Brooks’ stage conversion of Young Frankenstein at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in the new year.

With Andrew Isherwood directing, the York company’s rehearsals are in full swing for this all-singing, all-dancing horror-spoof musical that will run from Jan 30-Feb 3.

“This show is by the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation The Producers,” said Robert. “The comedy genius Mel Brooks has adapted his legendary comedy film from 1974 into a brilliant stage show of Young Frankenstein. I saw the West End production and loved it.”

Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Dr Frederick Frankenstein (which he insists is pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s castle estate in Transylvania.

Aided and  hindered by hunchbacked sidekick Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), leggy lab assistant Inga (pronounced normally), devilishly sexy Frau Blucher (Neigh!) and needy fiancee Elizabeth (Surprise!). Frederick finds himself filling the mad scientist shoes of his ancestor, striving to fulfil his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life.

“It’s alive!” he exclaims as his experiment yields a creature to rival his grandfather’s monster. Eventually, and inevitably, this new monster escapes.

Working in tandem with Thomas Meehan, Brooks gleefully reanimates his horror-movie send-up of Mary Shelley’s novel with even more jokes, set-pieces and barnstorming parody songs that stick a pitchfork into good taste. Among those songs will be Puttin’ On The Ritz, Please Don’t Touch Me, He Vas My Boyfriend, The Transylvania Mania, There Is Nothing Like A Brain! and many more Transylvanian smash hits.

Leading Readman’s cast will be squash champion James Willstrop, continuing his transfer from court to curtain call after playing Captain Von Trapp in Pick Me Up’s The Sound Of Music last Christmas.

Starring opposite him again will be Swedish-born Sanna Jeppsson (Maria in The Sound Of Music), here cast as Inga. Jack Hooper, Mr Poppy in last year’s Nativity!, will be Igor; Helen Spencer, seen as the Mother Abbess and Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, will play Frau Blucher; Jennie Wogan-Wells, the Narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will be Elizabeth Benning.

Craig Kirby, Mr Tom in Goodnight Mr Tom, will be in Monster mode and further roles will go to Tom Riddolls as Sgt Kemp, Sam Steel as Bertram Bartam and Andrew Isherwood, fresh from directing Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, will play The Hermit as well as ditecting. A supporting ensemble will play Transylvanians, students and more besides. Choreography is by Ilana Weets and the orchestra is led by musical maestro Sam Johnson.

“Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original as it will be to newcomers, Young Frankenstein has all the of panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added,” says Robert. “Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.”

Jan 3-feb 30, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York,  Tickets: https://www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/musical/young-frankinstein-the-musical/2655/#schedules

Jennie Wogan-Wells as Elizabeth