Frame Narrative
by Emily Sheehan directed by Lucy Clements
8 - 30 March 2024
New Ghosts Theatre Company & Old Fitz Theatre
Sydney
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Exquisite and heartfelt... a wonderful theatrical puzzle that keeps reflecting back on itself.”
- Sydney Theatre Reviews -
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Unexpected story twists and a clever deconstruction of narrative.”
- Sydney Scoop -
★ ★ ★ ★
“A wildly ambitious and entertaining new play.”
- Stage Noise -
★ ★ ★ ★
”Completely original. A demanding construct with wonderful performances.”
- Theatre Now -
ABOUT THE SHOW
“You want a monster? I’ll show you a monster...”
A revered filmmaker is doing the festival circuit for her latest cinematic adaptation of a literary classic; Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. But a young critic accuses her of the inspiration landing too close to home. There must be a traumatic backstory to explain why she would want to tell such dark stories… Meanwhile, rumours about the treatment of the actors on set reveals tension between the film’s two leading ladies; a faded 90s horror scream queen and the Gen-Z it girl of psychological thrillers.
Artistic Director Lucy Clements directs Emily Sheehan’s new gothic thriller, that traces the evolution of 17 century gothic literature through to 90s trashy horror, and asks whether you can ever truly separate a work of fiction from its author.
Cast and creatives
Writer Emily Sheehan
Director Lucy Clements
Producer Emma Wright
Set Design Soham Apte
Costume Design Rita Naidu
Lighting Design Spencer Herd
Sound Design and Composition Sam Cheng
Dramaturg Tamar Saphra
Intimacy Coordinator Shondelle Pratt
Assistant Director Jeremi Campese
Assistant Designers Bella Wellstead, Sparks Sanders Robinson and Isobel Morrissey
Cast Madeline Li, Megan O'Connell, Jennifer Rani, Charles Upton and Emma Wright
Reviews
“Emily Sheehan’s script is special and exquisitely crafted.”
Theatre Travels
“This New Ghosts Theatre Company production is exemplary.”
Sydney Morning Herald
“A slick deconstruction of our relationship with narrative”
Limelight
“Very funny and with a clever plot, Sheehan’s play delights with its constant supply of surprises”
Suzy Goes See
“Imbued with intrigue and tension, this is a truly original and brave new work”
City Hub
"All of the cast give stellar performances.”
- Sydney Scoop -
Media interviews
Listen to playwright Emily Sheehan and director Lucy Clements discuss the rehearsal room process for Frame Narrative in Episode 40 of the Playwrights Process Podcast.