Dundalk’s Encore Productions bring Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ to life

For their 2025 show, Encore Productions have stitched together a ‘monster’ piece of theatre. Mary Shelley was only 16 when she wrote her novel ‘Frankenstein’ –a book in which she single handedly invented Science Fiction and created an indestructible story that generations have retold time and time again.

But how did she come to write this amazing book – and what’s the story really about? This unique and ambitious production aims to answer both these questions with passionate stage performances combined with stunning film in terrifying technicolour!

With Radical reformers as parents and romantic poets as lovers and friends, Mary’s young mind was bursting with ideas. Born into an age of revolution in science and society, all the elements were there for an explosive story. Add the spark of her genius and the tale ignited! 

Therese Baxter plays Mary Shelley, Rodger Zyro is Victor Von Frankenstein while stage veteran Oliver Hanratty- in his last show with Encore in a dazzling career spanning over 20 years- will bring the role of ‘The Creature’ to life.

The rest of the cast combines experience and enthusiasm in equal measure and features –Dolores McKeever, Christopher McKevitt, Moninna McCarthy, Jamie Linden, Olivia McGinnity, Paddy Durnin, Mary Frances McAteer, Sandra Shields, Anita Guest, Martin Hanley, Nicki Cormican, Brendan O’Shea, David Coyle, Aoife Lawless and Alex Tamuyeye. Stage management is by Rachel Tinniswood and Grainne O Hanlon – both of whom also act in the production. Frankenstein is Directed by Sandy Sneddon.

Frankenstein is the latest in a long line of innovative productions from Encore. Over the last 8 years alone they have tackled Shakespeare twice – The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, brought Brecht’s ‘Mother Courage’ and Durrenmatt’s ‘Visit’ to the Dundalk Stage and explored Greek theatre with their own piece ‘Aesop’.

Last year they made a year long journey into the world of Samuel Beckett creating ‘The Beckett List’. This show told Beckett’s life story and introduced audiences to his unique style of theatre. The play was toured, culminating in a performance at The Samuel Beckett Theatre in Trinity College Dublin. 2024 also saw the group featured in a special show on RTE’s Nationwide.

Encore actors all use RehabCare services in Dundalk and are Community Company in Residence with An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk. Over the years they have developed a unique process in which they research and explore plays, their authors and styles of theatre then adapt them in a way that both plays to the strengths and adds to the skills of the individual actors within the ensemble.

Working with limited physical resources and aiming to keep their shows light enough to tour they use film, light and atmospheric sound design to create an immersive world in which audiences can best enjoy the actor’s performances.

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Frankenstein was funded in part by Creative Ireland and the Arts office of Dundalk Town Council. This enabled the actors to participate in workshops in Voice and Movement with Anthony Kinahan and Fiona Keenan O’Brien to further raise the standards of performance. To create the globe trotting canvas of Frankenstein, Dara McKluskey worked with the actors using green screen and CGI techniques to whisk the audience from the drawing rooms of 19th century London, to Geneva and The Orkney Isles via forest and glacier to arrive in flames at the tale’s final showdown at the North Pole. The funding will also enable the ensemble to take their show on tour to The Hawk’s Well theatre in Sligo – sharing this amazing production with as broad an audience as possible – hopefully inspiring other community groups to consider creating their own productions.

The show is suitable for all age groups and is guaranteed to educate and entertain. You think you know Frankenstein? Think again!

Show venues and times 

An Táin Theatre Dundalk

www.antain.ie     Tel 0429332332

Tuesday 30th  September, Thursday 2nd October at 8pm – Tickets €8.50 (plus €1.50 booking fee)

Matinee Wednesday 1st October -11am – Tickets €3.50 (plus €1.50 booking fee)

Hawk’s Well Theatre Sligo

boxoffice@hawkswell.ie  Tel 0719161518

Tuesday 14th October at 1pm – Tickets €7 (plus booking fee)