Speaking to Colin was very helpful on Monday, we discussed my ideas so far and it was suggested I stick to objects around 1818; this will give a more realistic conception of the objects which Shelley would have imagined Frankenstein using. It was also agreed that I should stick to doing simply the model box, rather than both a model box and a prop. I'm slightly relived as I wasn't truly convinced I would have enough time to make both at an acceptable level.

For the model box I thought about using the same plans as I used last year, however I'm thinking that that model box may be slightly too small. When I visited the Royal Opera House in Purfleet, the model box they used was very big (granted, the stage is also very big), so maybe I could get the plans from some contacts I have at the ROH or I could remeasure the plans I have got so they are 1:121/2.


As decided, I went to London on Tuesday to re-visit the Science Museum and take a look at The Old Operating Theatre, which was staggeringly helpful in terms of props and to help me get a better idea of possible scenes.

Instruments and Frankenstein

The search for images of 18th century laboratories is not going particularly well, and I think I need to return to the science museum and perhaps talk to someone there, which may provide more fruitful. The images I keep finding are from horror films, which I wish to avoid as they are hideously imprecise. Perhaps looking at the National Theatre's version of 'Frankenstein' may be a little more helpful. I'm a little worried with the tone/colours which are always implied with these sets; and although Gothic is the genre attached to the book, I don't want to be bogged down with genre too early.

Here are some images from my first trip to the science museum, they are rather ornate, so simplifying them may be easier. Do I also want to recreate some of these objects? Prop making has never been my strong point, and these instruments are elegant and interwoven which could prove challenging for an amateur prop maker. However these instruments will set the scene, and will undoubtedly be integral to a set.

Perhaps making a model box will be a good idea, it will allow me to get a bigger picture of the lab in relation to the stage and what I can or cannot make. Before that though, I need more images. Perhaps basing the set from a painting would be a good idea though.

Initial Ideas

After looking at the brief I have decided that it would be best if I have some overlap between by dissertation and this project. Because of such, I have chosen to look at 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelly.

At first, I wanted to re-create the Creature; looking at the ways he would have been built in that time period and what materials would have been used. For this, I was mostly interested in the anatomy of the Creature, considering where surgeons would have (and still do) make incisions etc. However, I wanted to avoid the 'Hammer' film from the 50's, which undoubtedly the make-up and prosthetics are brilliant for the generation, it does not ring true to the time period.

Another idea I had was to re-create the laboratory in which Frankenstein built the creature.  Over the summer holidays I went to the Science Museum in London and looked at all the equipment with would have been used by scientists (or Alchemists) in the 18th century. I have also collected paintings of scientists in their labs with various instruments.

Pietro Longhi The Alchymist, 1661

After talking to Colin today I think it would be best to stick to the idea of the lab, as it is sticking to my preferred area. However the fact that it was described as 'simpler' irritates me slightly.