Lyric Drama Studio – Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

There’s something special happening at the Lyric Drama Studio right now — and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein proves it.

Rona Munro’s adaptation of the gothic classic feels intense, intelligent and surprisingly intimate inside the smaller studio setting at the Lyric Theatre, where the audience is pulled right into the middle of the chaos, grief and horror unfolding on stage. At times, it almost feels impossible to separate yourself from the drama.

What makes this production stand out isn’t just the story everyone knows — it’s the raw energy coming from a cast of emerging performers who throw themselves fully into it.

Euan Mulvenna’s portrayal of the Creature is genuinely unforgettable. Physical, vulnerable, unsettling and deeply human all at once, his performance lingers long after the lights come up. There’s a quiet sadness underneath the rage that makes his version of the Monster feel tragic rather than terrifying. It’s an incredibly mature performance and one that deserves serious attention.

Rachel McGarry also shines as Mary Shelley herself, carrying much of the production with confidence and presence. Her performance gives the play its emotional backbone, balancing the darkness of the story with moments of reflection and sharp wit.

What’s perhaps most impressive is that many of these performers are still students. The standard across the ensemble is remarkably high, with a level of commitment and professionalism that never lets the audience drift.

Director Philip Crawford uses the studio space cleverly, creating an atmosphere that feels claustrophobic in all the right ways. Combined with haunting sound design and stripped-back staging, the production leans heavily into tension rather than spectacle — and it works.

This isn’t a polished Hollywood-style Frankenstein. It’s darker, more emotional and far more human. A story about loneliness, ambition, rejection and the consequences of playing god — themes that still feel incredibly relevant today.

By the end, the audience sat in near silence before applause broke out — always a sign that a production has truly connected.

If this is the future of local theatre talent, Belfast audiences have a lot to look forward to.