frankenstein performance text

7/17/2019 Frankenstein Performance Text

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FRANKENSTEINThe Monster and the Myth,

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s novel and the Hollywood movies,

Written by Paul Stebbings and Phil Smith.

D!"T # $ Per%orman&e Te't $ %rom (ID)*+D(D

The staging is made up o% a set o% &ages whi&h &an be variously &onstru&ted to maemountains, prison, lab table, et&.

P*-*/)0

1She is dressed in &ontemporary &lothes2.

3-*4)0 ood evening My name is epsilon 56# to the power o% 7 divided by Pi but you&an &all me Dolly, lie the &loned sheep, say hello Dolly. I was &reated %rom humanembryo stem &ells and then &loned. I am the %uture. 8ou are &ompost, human dinosaurs.It9s too late to save you, and why should we: 8ou have tried again and again to destroyus $ ever sin&e our %irst an&estor was &reated by the great Do&tor "ranenstein. I have&ome here today to e'plain to you why all arti%i&ial li%e hates you and will do nothing tosave you. !nd what better way to show you than tell the true story o% the martyr whobegan our struggle against you. 8ou now him as ;"ranenstein’s monster<. 8ou broehis heart, denied his soul and then you destroyed him. We are going to do the same toyou. Doomed ones, this is the true story o% the %irst martyr o% the &hur&h o% the per%e&t&lone0 this is "ranenstein’s M*4ST)=

S3)4) >

T*W4SW*M!40 1swinging sausages2 * wel&ome= Wel&ome to Ingolstadt, erman,some time in the mid?nineteenth &entury= S&ene one $ Ingolstadt /niversity==

1Ingolstadt /niversity le&ture hall. (I3T* "!4@)4ST)I4 enters 2.

(I3T*0 *, no, I’m late, I’m late %or &lass again= *, my very %avourite subAe&t== ood tosee you all ba& in &lass a%ter the holidays== This is my %avourite subAe&t $ anatomy==4ow I started o%% disse&ting inse&ts and now I’ve moved on to human bodies= It’s great%un= Have you every seen the pro%essor: He’s very good at disse&tion= *, here he is==ive him a round o% applause==

P*"0 Students, students, good morning+a%ternoon $ ;students< ? what do we mae o%that word, ;students<:

(I3T* 0 I don’t now.



P*"0 What does it mean:

(I3T*0 4o idea

P*"0 Why are you, %or e'ample, a student:

(I3T*0 Brilliant Cuestion=

P*" 0 Is it easy:

(I3T*0 4o.

P*"0 Is it &om%ortable:

(I3T*0 4o

P*"0 Is it well paid:

(I3T*0 3ertainly not, sir=

P*"0 4o, it is a Aob with long hours %or no pay. What purpose does it serve: To be atthe mer&y o% some tea&her or pro%essor, lie mysel%, who seems to now everything andis handsomely %or their privileges. To be a student is an unnatural &ondition little betterthan that o% an animal. 8ou are &ertainly hated by the woring people o% the town whoregard you as worse than &attle=

(I3T*0 Ignorant peasants, sir=

P*" 0 8es. ;-eave alone the mysteries o% the world=< They &ry. But where the ignorantpeople o% the town see blasphemy I see nowledge= Where they see hereti&s 1pointingat the audien&e2 I see pioneers o% the %uture, not &attle but e'plorers=

(I3T*0 8es=

P*"0 !dventurers=

("0 8es=

P*"0 Ha&ing through the Aungle with a ma&hete= Ha& through that Aungle= In order tounderstand nature we must tear it apart= 3ut it up= Disse&t it==

(I3T*0 Disse&t it=

P*"0 Together we shall banish the darness o% ignoran&e and let in the sunlight==

(I3T*0 Brilliant Aust brillianta truly great tea&her=

P*"0 4ow $ are there any Cuestions:



1"ranenstein raises his hand. P*")SS* sees him and be&ons him on stage.2

"ranenstein0 "irstly, Pro%essor "leis&h%layer, I am honoured to be one o% your pioneers.(i&tor "ranenstein, sir. But I would say this0 what maes a s&ientist di%%erent %rom a

beast is his soul. 1P*")SS* grunts.2 )ven i% we loo at the bible we %ind that !damand )ve were not born on the %irst day. 3reation was in being, sir, be%ore we humansstood on the earth. It was only when we &ame to understand the world that s&ien&e wasborn.

P*"0 Hah=

(I3T*0 The light o% s&ien&e &omes %rom within us, %rom our uniCue Cuality0 the humansoul.

P*"0 /tter rubbish== Where is this soul: There: Is that where it is: 1prods student2

Where is your soul: Would it hurt i% I were to prod it: 3an I &ut it o%%: 3an I disse&t it: Iwould i% I &ould. /n%ortunately, this ;soul< is lo&ated in the one pla&e my ni%e &annotrea&h $ in this %ool’s imagination= The ;soul< belongs with "airy Tales and Santa 3laus.*ut with the damned thing and out with you, Herr "ranenstein= *ut o% my le&ture=

(I3T*0 But Pro%essor "leis&h%layer, I was only ?

P*"0 *ut, out= o to some grubby &hur&h and mumble your prayers with the ignorantsausage sellers and barmaids, &li& your rosary beads with the old women under the&hur&h gate, but do not s&ribble your notes in my &lassroom= @i& out this %ool= *ut I say=1"ranenstein e'its2. !nd now we shall turn to the subAe&t o% ele&tri&ity, the spar o%li%ewe do not now what it is, but we now what it does== !nd what &an be done, mustbe done== We shall %urther &onsider this subAe&t tomorrowI would as that the nature o% our &onversation today not be overheard by the ignorant and superstitious people o% thetown. 3lass dismissed=

S&ene E

1The Pro%essor’s laboratory, Ingolstadt /niversity. )liFabeth, the Pro%essor’s daughter,enters and tests various pie&es o% eCuipment. !n ape in a &age is s&reaming and)liFabeth &alms the ape, letting it out o% the &age. The ape responds with a%%e&tion.Together they %eed the other animals ? in&luding a snae that is %ed a mouse by the ape.2

)-IG0 1to snae2 * my darling, and how are you: 8ou’re hungry: * we have a treat %oryou 1!pe %eds the mouse to the snae.2 *, you were hungry== I will see you later, mydarling, in you go= 1Puts the snae ba& in &age.2

1The !pe grabs a bottle o% &hemi&als and maes a game o% )liFabeth’s e%%orts to retrieve



it2.

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor. Put that ba&== That is ether. It’s dangerous= Put it down= (i&tor,please give it to me. Please= ive me the ether= (i&tor, (i&tor=

1The !pe sensing the %un waves bottle in air and shries. The noise &auses (i&tor toenter2.

(I3T*0 !h, Miss "leis&h%layer, &an I be o% any assistan&e: Did I hear you &alling myname:

)-IG!B)TH0 1"lustered2 *h Herr "ranenstein= I &alled: 8ou: * ? yes, that’s right== Thiswret&hed &reature has stolen the ether. I% the bottle is smashed "ather will never %orgiveme.

(I3T*0 Then I shall &orner this monstrous beast and re&over the magi& potion== Heremoney, money===

)-IG!B)TH0 1Stern2 It’s a primate, an ape, Herr "ranenstein, a ibbon, genusHylobates %rom the Hylobatidae %amily.

(I3T*0 *, here ibbon, ibbon, ibbon=

1ibbon blows raspberries at (i&tor2

(I3T*0 Does it have a %amiliar name: )-IG!B)TH0 1Blushing2 *, "ather told me I must never give the animals names=

(I3T*0 *, but you did, didn’t you $ be&ause, )liFabeth ? May I &all you )liFabeth:1She nods.2 Be&ause, )liFabeth $despite the intentions o% your %ather ? you have a indand humane heart beating in that pretty breast. *, pardon my s&ienti%i& %ranness, but Ihave observed you as an astronomer wat&hes a distant star through a teles&ope= I nowhow warm?hearted you are. In the dull darness o% this dan and morbid /niversity yourheart glows %rom within as i% %rom a &ase o% &rystal and &asts a ray o% hope on me.1)-IG!B)TH loos at %loor, even the !pe has be&ome Cuiet and attentive. 4ow it &lapsits hands.2

)-IG!B)TH0 1to the ape2 *h, stop it, (i&tor== 1asps.2 *=

(I3T*0 ;(i&tor<= 8ou &alled this ape a%ter me: *h= What should I %eel: ! blow: *ren&ouragement:

)-IG!B)TH0 It was a &oin&iden&e= 1She blushes2.

1ibbon nods 4o’, )liFabeth reprimands him2

)-IG!B)TH0 ! &oin&iden&e=



1ibbon agrees this time2

(I3T*0 8ou are blushing. What is the s&ienti%i& &ause o% this blushing:

)-IG!B)TH0 I now none, Herr "ranenstein. 4ot everything is s&ienti%i&. 1Then,Cui&ly.2 Please, please do not tell "ather I said so.

(I3T*0 Truth %or&es us to blush. It is the e'&ess o% the human spirit. It is the soulmani%esting itsel% in the %lesh. I now how warm?hearted you are. 1holding his %inger outto tae a hair %rom her head2 !llow me, every hair is holy to me= 1The !pe is now ignoredand be&omes Aealous. It leaps on "ranenstein’s ba&, still holding the ether2. *= Help,help=

1(i&tor leaps about with the ape on his ba&.2

)-IG!B)TH0 Don’t hurt him, (i&tor=

(I3T*0 He’s atta&ing me== What am I supposed to do:

)-IG!B)TH0 4ot you (i&tor. 8ou (i&tor, let (i&tor go=

1The ape pours ether over (i&tor’s head2.

)-IG!B)TH0 *h no= The ether= The ether= (i&tor, try not to breathe.

1(i&tor holds his breath pointlessly, eventually breathes in and passes out.2.

)-IG!B)TH. *h (i&tor=

1ape holds )-IG!B)TH ba&, )-IG!B)TH poes ape in the eye, sends him ba& to the&age, puts ether ba& on shel%2

)-IG!B)TH0 8ou silly, silly beast, Bad (i&tor== Bad (i&tor=

(I3T*0 13oming round.2 *, I’m not bad I’m really Cuite good. My soul is puremyheart is rea&hing out %or )liFabeth:

)-IG!B)TH0 *, (i&tor, (i&tor= !re you alright: 1!pe whimpers.2 4ot you, you silly beast=*h (i&tor, (i&tor spea to me.

(I3T*0 I meant to do good. I have so many hopes

)-IG!B)TH0 * my god= *h, don’t die, (i&tor=

(I3T*0 My soul= It is slipping %rom me==

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, no my poor dear man your soul must stay in your breast.



(I3T*0 Breast: 8es. Breast.

)-IG!B)TH0 -et me tae your pulse. 1She leans over him.2

(I3T*0 1three slow beats2 Breast must stay in in the %lesh

)-IG!B)TH0 8our pulse Cui&ens= 1three %ast beats2 *h don’t die, (i&tor= 8our heart=1She pushes him down and pumps his heart2

(I3T*0 1Taing huge breaths2 *, my soul ? I see it slipping away %rom me=

)-IG!B)TH0 Where, where:

(I3T*0 My soul is %loating away %rom me=

)-IG!B)TH0 ea&h out and &at&h it==

(I3T*0 !n angel= I see an angel and a great golden heaven ? I embra&e heaven=

1He isses her. They embra&e. Pro%essor "leis&h%layer enters.2

P*"0 What is this= What is going on: Have my senses %ailed: Surely this &annot be=

)-IG!B)TH0 1pulling away2 *h "ather, "ather=

(I3T*0 Sir, Pro%essor, "ather ernot "ather er I

P*"0 Silen&e.

)-IG!B)TH0 It was not, "ather, what it appears to be ?

P*"0 !lmost everything is what it appears to be, my dear. That’s what appearan&e is $the loo o% things that are== I &an see Cuite &learly that you have betrayed my trust= TheCuestion remains0 have you betrayed my wor: *ur se&rets:

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, "ather, never.

P*"0 1To (I3T*02 !re you a spy: Who do you serve: *ne o% the idiots in the town:*ne o% the other tea&hers here:

(I3T*0 4o= 4ot at all, Sir.

P*"0 !re you a liar:

(I3T*0 4o, Sir.

P*"0 1!dvan&ing on him with disse&ting ni%e.2 Where is the proo%: Do I have to &ut it



out o% you: Shall I disse&t your motives:

(I3T*0 Help= *h od help me=

P*"0 *h, spare me your superstition=

)-IG!B)TH0 "ather, "ather I beg you to listen to me. This man is not a spy. Herr"ranenstein only &ame to res&ue me %rom the Money.

P*"0 !pe.

(I3T*0 ibbon, a&tually...enus Hylobates %rom the Hylobatidae %amily 1Both P*"and )-IG!B)TH loo at him,. 2

P*"0 So, you are not a spy then:

(I3T*0 4o Sir, I am a thie%.

)-IG!B)TH and P*"0 What=

(I3T*0 I &ame here to steal a heart.

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor: 1Money revives and bangs on &age2.

P*"0 !re you &olle&ting organs %rom bodies: !ll the pi&led hearts in this laboratorybelong to me== I will &all the wat&hmen.

)-IG!B)TH0 "ather. The heart he has stolen is my own=

(I3T*0 Sir, it would be a great honour to be permitted to as %or the hand o% yourdaughter.

P*"0 To disse&t: What is this:

)-IG!B)TH0 *, "ather. 8ou now per%e&tly well what (i&tor means= 1She seiFes (i&torand isses him2. I wish to marry (i&tor "ranenstein, "ather. 1Money howls with rage2.Will someone shut that bloody money up=

(I3T*0 !pe.

P*"0 ibbon. 1oing to the &age.2 It has great a%%e&tion %or you, )liFabeth $ thisgibbon. It is Aealous. !nd so am I. "or I too am an ape, )liFabeth. I hope you &an %orgiveme i% I &annot es&ape my own %eelings. I am a%raid o% losing you. !%ter all, who else &an Itrust in my Cuest %or li%e:

(I3T*0 -i%e:

P*"0 13unning2 8es, Herr "ranenstein $ li%e, arti%i&ial li%e &reated by my own hands.



(I3T*0 But that’s impossible. 1)'&ited he pushes )liFabeth away2 !nd illegal. They’llhang you.

P*"0 Whatever &an be done, must be done. 1(i&tor rea&ts.2 Hah, see how he is=

)-IG!B)TH0 "ather, leave him alone, he doesn’t need to now ?

(I3T*0 @now what:

P*"0 Hush, my dear= !llow me this one test= Then , "ranenstein, you will have youranswer==

(I3T*0 What test:

P*"0 The one that you began to pass when you pushed aside your beloved Aust now= Iloo into your eyes and I see a s&ienti%i& &uriosity, the appetite %or %orbidden nowledgethat any son?in?law o% mine must possess= !h, but &an you give up your soul:

)-IG!B)TH0 1/nderstanding2 He &an pass the test= He &an win my hand=

P*"0 1Manipulative2 4onsense. What a %ool I am= I am %orgetting, this is (i&tor"ranenstein, the spiritualist== Hah= How &an anyone who believes in a soul &reate li%e:Where would he %ind the ingredients: 1Mimes grasping hand%uls o% air.2

(I3T*0 Perhaps it is not so important, sir1tempted2 ! soul is a%ter all only anidea, a &on&ept

P*"0 ! human invention:

(I3T*0 )liFabeth: Help me to e'press mysel%

)-IG!B)TH0 I &annot marry you without my "ather’s permission, (i&tor.

P*"0 I% you are to Aoin this %amily you must share in all its se&rets.

(I3T*0 In the se&rets o% li%e:

P*"0 "lesh and blood. 4o soul.

(I3T*0 Why, yes, sir, o% &ourse, 1struggling2 what use is an idea without the %leshand the blood to mae it real 1He grasps hand%uls o% air.2 There is no real soul here. Isee that now.

P*"0 Man is a ma&hine.

(I3T*0 1/n&ertainly2 ! ma&hine



P*" and )-IG!B)TH0 Death is only the brea down o% a ma&hine.

)-IG!B)TH0 Whi&h we &an mend by &are%ul repair and nursing.

(I3T*0 Death is only the brea down o% a ma&hine:

P*"0 !nd a%ter death, what then, Herr "ranenstein:

(I3T*0 Heaven

P*"0 4o.

(i&tor0 -i%e again=

)-IG!B)TH0 8es=

(I3T*0 Have I passed the test:

P*"0 *nly the theory. 4ow &omes the pra&ti&al= This is a test %or us all, (i&tor.

(I3T*0 "or you and )liFabeth:

P*"0 "or all manind. The subAe&ts are ready. 4ow is the moment o% truth.

)-IG!B)TH0 1"rightened2 TH) moment, "ather:

P*"0 8es, bring me ;(i&tor<.

)-IG!B)TH0 I suppose we have to ill (i&tor=

(I3T*0 What= Help= 8ou’re mad you’re both mad==

P*"0 Someone bring me that damn gibbon=

(i&tor0 *. I see

)-IG!B)TH0 1!s she lets the !pe out it hugs her.2 I don’t now that I &an do it, "ather. Ihave looed a%ter the ape too long

P*"0 But Herr "ranenstein, you &an ill (i&tor, &an’t you:

)-IG!B)TH0 -et’s ill a butter%ly or a bla& rat. ats deserve to die.

P*"0 4othing deserves to die, my dear. That is what this e'periment is all about. Weshall abolish death.

(I3T*0 1/n&ons&iously arrogant.2 Sir, do you mean to revive this animal a%ter illing it:



P*"0 I do.

(I3T*0 Then you see, )liFabeth, it is not the end o% poor (i&tor, it is but the beginningo% his new li%e. We &an have li%e a%ter death=

)-IG!B)TH0 o ahead then. But don’t e'pe&t me to be part o% it. I &annot loo.

P*"0 @ill it.

1(i&tor taes the s&reaming ape and he and the Pro% ill the beast as )-IG!B)TH sobs.2

(I3T*0 In illing this beast, Pro%essor, I ill my old sel%. My &hildish superstitious sel%.My soul has died with this ape.

P*"0 Well done, Herr "ranenstein= We’ll mae a Pro%essor o% you yet=

)-IG!B)TH0 But your heart, (i&tor:

(I3T*0 My emotions are un&hanged. 1Taing his own pulse.2 I o%%er you the undyinglove o% a man and to you, Pro%essor, my undying pro%essional devotion.

P*"0 Hah= I don’t want your devotion= I am nothing. S&ien&e is all. We are herdoneys= 4ow, Cui&ly== To wor, to wor. )liFabeth unveil the ma&hine=

)-IG!B)TH0 * yes, %ather=

(I3T*0 Sir, surely you don’t mean a ma&hine :

P*"0 *% &ourse, open your ears, or you will learn nothing== *% &ourse it’s a ma&hine=

1)liFabeth unveils a &ontraption ? atta&hed to a dynamo and ele&trodes. He taes thepumping handle2.

P*"0 4o, my dear, now we have stronger thighs. 1He grips (I3T*’s arm2 Puremus&le. Trapped energy= To the ma&hine==

(I3T*0 I obey s&ien&e. 1gets on the bi&y&le.2

P*"0 Hurry $ we must wor Cui&ly== "aster, %aster.

)-IG!B)TH0 *h (i&tor, use your strength Pump, pump=

(I3T*0 *nwards, upwards= -i%e, li%e=

P*"0 )liFabeth, the ele&trodes=

)-IG!B)TH0 8es, sir=



P*"0 "aster==

(I3T*0 Phoo= /p the hill o% ignoran&e== I am approa&hing the heights o% understanding=1Brie%ly &he&s his own pulse.2 What e'&itement drives me now= Spar, -i%e, spar=

1Pumping %uriously. )-IG!B)TH applies the ele&trodes to the sull o% the ape whotwit&hes2.

P*"0 8es= 8es= It’s woring=

)-IG!B)TH0 *h, little (i&tor=

P*"0 "aster, more &urrent, more &urrent=

)-IG!B)TH P*"0 "aster= Pump= Pump= It’s alive== It’s alive==

1The ape raises a hand then sits up s&reams and smoe issues %rom his head. (i&tor&ollapses unable to eep up the e%%ort and the ape goes limp.2

P*"0 4o= 4o= dead= How &an this happen to me $ Pro%essor "leis&h%layer= Dead=

1The P*" gouges out the ape’s eye with a ni%e and then peers into his brain2.

P*"0 See, see only the sur%a&e o% the brain was stimulated. !nd this eye has only ablur %i'ed upon its insides. 1Tosses it away2. /seless. Hopeless. (i&tor, throw (i&tor intothe river. I am a %ailure. We are still mortal. Death is still the end.

(I3T*0 4o, sir. It is all my %ault, i% only I had more strength. I% we had two pumpingma&hines

)-IG!B)TH0 4onsense, nonsense, both o% you. 8ou are thining ba&wards= The&urrent was not too low but the beast was too large. -et us use a smaller &reature.

P*"0 I have already revived inse&ts $ who &ares: They have no heart, no brain=

)-IG!B)TH0 But what about a snae:

(I3T*0 Why yes, Sir== Did not all nowledge begin with a snae in a arden: -et usembra&e this opportunity=

)-IG!B)TH0 1@isses (i&tor2. * let us embra&e the snae=

P*"0 Whi&h snae: That 3obra: That snae is highly poisonous, my &hildren, youmust beware the snae=

)-IG!B)TH0 *, %ather, I %eed him everyday. In his eyes I see &ool depths. My snae willbe the %irst real animal to be illed and be revived. 4ot a twit&hing ape or %lutteringinse&ts no more alive than paper. But to bring ba& a snae==



P*"0 8es, that would be an a&t to &hallenge od==

)-IG!B)TH0 -et me %et&h my treasure:

P*"0 8es== 8es== Bring %orth the snae== 4o time to waste==

)-IG!B)TH0 *phiophagus Hannah ? @ing 3obra= 1She unlo&s the &age and taes outthe snae ? a puppet whi&h she &an manipulate2. !h, my darling, we are going to ill you.

P*"0 That is my daughter==

(I3T*0 *, Aust ill the damn thing=

)-IG!B)TH0 Don’t be s&ared

(I3T*0 I’m not.

)-IG!B)TH0 4ot you.

(I3T*0 !h, the snae.

1P*" ills snae2

)-IG!B)TH0 It’s dead.

P*"0 13he&ing2 Temporarily.

)-IG!B)TH0 Jui&, Cui&= (i&tor, pump that ma&hine== Harder and %aster than be%ore==

(I3T*0 13limbing on the &y&le.2 S&ien&e is a stern mistress, I obey=

P*"0 We need a mu&h stronger &urrent than be%ore== Pump harder==

(I3T*0 I’m pumping as hard as I &an==

P*"0 Harder, harder==

1*n&e again (i&tor %uriously pumps ? the Pro% pla&es on the ele&trodes and the snae Aumps to li%e2.

P*"0 -i%e= -i%e=

1P*" goes to stroe the snae.2

)-IG!B)TH0 Don’t stroe the snae= It doesn’t lie

P*"0 What:



)-IG!B)TH0 Hold it by the &are%ul==

1The snae bites the Pro%essor who %alls writhing to the %loor2.

P*"0 !h = What has it done: Did it bite me: *, @ismet, (i&tor, ismet=

)-IG!B)TH0 "ather, oh "ather.

(I3T*0 !ntidote== Where’s the antidote==

P*"0 There is none, dear boy. The bite o% the @ing 3obra is always %atal. In &reatingli%e I have embra&ed my own death. I have traded my li%e %or that o% a reptile.

(I3T*0 4o, Sir you must not die= The world will want to salute you==

P*"0 !h= I %eel its poison in my veins.

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, no, no. 1She beats the snae to death2 )vil= )vil==

(I3T*0 The snae, no, no=

P*"0 My li%e’s wor= I’m sining My last words are aise the Dead= aise theDead=

1Dies2.

)-IG!B)TH0 "ather= What have we done.he is gone %orever.

(I3T*0 4o. The ele&trodes= I% we pump together we &an get a higher &harge==

1(i&tor grabs the ele&trodes and is wiring up the Pro%, but )liFabeth intervenes to stophim.2

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, (i&tor $ never again. Don’t you see that this is a Audgement:

(I3T*0 What:

)-IG!B)TH0 We are being punished. By what, I am not sure. But this is a sign. *h(i&tor, our happiness means more to me than this way o% death. Happiness is moreimportant than %ame, surely: Must we spend our lives illing poor inno&ent &reaturesonly to pump their bodies with ele&tri&ity to amaFe the world: Did you see the loo o%terror on my poor ape’s %a&e: *r the loo o% hatred in the 3obra’s eyes:

(I3T*0 4o, I saw a %uture without death=

)-IG!B)TH0 Without death:= Do you not see my dear dead %ather lying be%ore us: Thisso?&alled li%e’ brings nothing but death and torn &orpses= 8ou must &hoose, (i&tor,



either we bury %ather or we bury our love:

(I3T*0 What about my wor:

)-IG!B)TH0 That is up to you. I doubt that I have a soul, (i&tor, but I have a heart and I

must %ollow it. 8ou must de&ide to tae that path with me or not. 1She begins to leave2.

(I3T*0 4o= 1seiFing her2. Bind us together. Mae us one %lesh. I am you ? our heartsbeat as one. 1@issing her.2

)-IG!B)TH0 Than od== -i%e= )verything stret&hes ahead o% us now. Promise me youwill never try to re&reate li%e again.

(I3T*0I promise with my hand on my heart. I will be&ome a do&tor. I will heal the si&.I will marry you on the day I Cuali%y as Dr "ranenstein=

)-IG!B)TH0 *, Dr and Mrs "ranenstein= 1)'iting.2 I will &reate li%e. I will &reate awhole brood o% "ranensteins. 1Turning ba&.2 *h, "ather, your death was not in vain ?you have taught us to be humble and appre&iate what we have0 ourselves, our li%e, ourlove.

(I3T*0 I would gladly die %or you.

)-IG!B)TH0 *, (i&tor==1In resignation (i&tor spins the wheel o% the bi&y&le as they e'eunt. The dynamosparles %or a moment and the Pro% and the 3obra brie%ly revive be%ore they sin ba&into death.2

B-!3@*/T

S3)4) K.

1! Student is being pursued.2

T*W4SW*M!4 0 1swinging sausages2 Today, in Ingolstadt maret I have %or you the%inest sausages in the whole world= I have %at Aui&y sausages, even thin spi&y sausages=I have sausages that would tempt a

T*W4SW*M!4 E0 1entering2 Have you seen the atheist: I saw him with my own eyes==

1! Student bursts onto the stage, pursued.2

ST/D0 4o= Please= Somebody help= Don’t hurt me=

T*W4S"*-@0 1*%%.2 There he is== 3at&h him== Here= He’s here=

1The Student tries to run o%%, but he reels ba& as i% he sees townspeople &oming %rom



every dire&tion. He is eventually &aught.2

T*W4S"*-@0 3orner him= -ie a rat==

Student0 Please, please= Stop, stop= I’m not an atheist= I’m a student= Here at Ingolstadt

/niversity= I study palaeontology= I was digging when I %ound the bones are o% giantreptiles who waled the earth millions o% years be%ore us==

T*W40 Blasphemy= !dam and )ve were &reated %irst.

Students0 It’s s&ien&e, I tell you==

T*W40 Death to the WIT3H==

Student0 4o=

T*W40 Blasphemy= Hang the wit&h==

Student0 Dinosaurs= Please==

T*W40 Dragons and demons=

1Student is &aptured by a Poli&eman and hauled o%%.2

T*W4SW*M!40 I will span him with my sausages== We will &at&h all the atheists andhang them== We will &at&h all the students== There will be no sinners in Ingolstadt= We willmae them eat sausages== Hang him==

1Sound o% mob, (i&tor enters2

(I3T*0 Who will you hang:

T*W4SW*M!40 The atheist= We’ll hang him= 8a ya ya==

(I3T*0 *h Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt. 1)-IG!B)TH enters2 )liFabeth, this town is a hellhole o% ignoran&e==

)-IG!B)TH0 *, you’ll &hange it, (i&tor your medi&ine will show them to see things asthey really are.

(I3T*0 *h, I’ll be able to &ure their &ommon &olds, their in%luenFa, their bron&hitis, buttheir ignoran&e: Hmmm. There are so many illnesses here my eyes hurt.

)-IG!B)TH0 Then get home to bed and rest your eyes and awae re%reshed. Juali%ysoon, (i&tor, and let’s get away %rom this horrid town. Wret&hed Ingolstadt. Lust thin=8ou &ould be&ome a &ountry Do&tor, treating %armers and milmaids.



(I3T*0 This learning is so dull= Do you still &ondemn me to this dullness:

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor, there will be nothing dull when we are married= 1Blows him a iss%rom door2. Patien&e, (i&tor, patien&e= 3omplete your studies=

(I3T*0 I’m going to bed.

)-IG!B)TH0 ood night then. 1waves %rom window2

(I3T*0 *, )liFabeth= -et me stay with you tonight. I need to %eel that a body is morethan a series o% terrible diseases waiting to happen.

)-IG!B)TH0 We must wait, (i&tor. What will our marriage mean i% we a&t as i% we aremarried now:

(I3T*0 In the university I am disse&ting an old woman. Her %lesh is green. I see timerunning away %rom us== *, please= Don’t let our &han&e o% happiness slip away

)-IG!B)TH0 1"irm2 I am going to help you, (i&tor. I am going to get you out o% thisstining town and into the %resh air. 1)-IG!B)TH &omes ba& Aumps on (I3T*02 *hmy &ountry do&tor, I am going to give you so many &hildren. But %or now, good night.1She e'its into her house, sound o% door bolted2.

(I3T*0 ood night. 1Bitter2 This is no li%e. 1shouts2

1Student’s &orpse swings into view2.

(I3T*0 So, my poor atheist, 1reading2 ;So dies a %ree thiner, the devil tae him<.Would that I were the Devil but I have no use %or this body there is nothing I &an do tohelp you, poor student. I’d lie to. 8ou ept to your prin&iples. But even i% I were to&onne&t you to the ele&tri&al ma&hine I’d never generate enough &harge on my own

1! sudden %lash o% lightning and the &orpse Aumps2.

(I3T*0 What, lightning: )urea= )urea= *% &ourse, lightning is the greatest sour&e o%ele&tri& power. To hell with pumping ma&hines= I &an harness the sy=

1Hugs the &orpse, Igor’s musi& &ue2

(I3T*0 Someone’s &oming=

1Igor enters with a shovel and sa&? struggles and plays with hanging &orpse and bones $ and then puts the rope round his own ne& ? until (i&tor, %as&inated with his %amiliaritywith death, emerges2.

(I3T*0 Who are you:

Igor0 ! man. That’s all.



(I3T*0 !nd do you have a name:

Igor0 My name is se&ret.

(I3T*0 ! se&ret:

Igor0 8es the name o% Igor is a se&ret $ ah=

(I3T*0 !nd, Igor, what do you do %or a living:

Igor0 ravedigger, embalmer, &o%%in nailer and sometimes e'e&utioner. Igor ills them,burns them, &uts them up, bags them, and buries them. 4o one thans Igor. But thenIgor wouldn’t lie to be thaned, Sir. Igor wouldn’t tae indly to a indness it’s all %leshto him.

(I3T*0 )'&ellent &reature. !nd what o% ;good< and ;evil<, do these words meananything to you:

Igor0 Igor &an’t eat words, Sir, They don’t even stin.

(I3T*0 But you understand the meaning o% this, don’t you, Igor: 1Hands him a gold&oin2.

Igor0 old: What would Igor have to do %or that: 1Tempted2

1Po&ets the &oin.2

(I3T*0 Well, perhaps tae that &orpse ba& to my laboratory, then dig up a %ew o% your %resh graves and e'tra&t some healthy organs %rom the &orpses o% the newly dead:

Igor0 8es= Igor &an do that. !nd the dead don’t &omplain. )ven when Igor amuseshimsel% with them. The dead are silent. 1Bites gold &oin.2 Pate’, I lie, liver pate’.

(I3T*0 Well, every man has his se&ret desires=

Igor0 What’s yours then:

(I3T*0 Mine: I desire immortality ? %or all manind. I will de%eat death.

Igor0 -i%e, death $ they both stin= The only thing that is sweet is liver pat=

(I3T*0 3ome to my laboratory. I have wor %or you= Wal this way

1They e'eunt2.



S3)4) N

1! monstrous hybrid wals slowly a&ross the stage made out o% the Pro%essor with asnae biting him, a huge butter%ly wing on his head, hal% his head that o% a &at, a

&ro&odile’s arm and a money’s legs and tail. @no&s on door and then breas it open.2

P*"0 The animals are still alive, )liFabeth. The animals= !live=

1)-IG!B)TH asleep on her bed, dreaming.2

)-IG!B)TH0 Dead: Die= 8ou’re dead==

1The hybrid approa&hes )liFabeth, she %ights it o%%. Waes2.

)-IG!B)TH0 My nightmare, my nightmare. *h (i&tor= (i&tor= 13alming down.2 It was Aust a dream. But it said something (i&tor, I have to spea to you. Where do youdisappear to these longs days and nights: What are you doing at the university everyevening: Is there someone else: Is there something 4o, no== But I have to now thatit is not true== I have to now== 1e'its.2

S3)4) O

1The -aboratory. (I3T*0 woring on the Monster under a sheet, Igor assisting.2

(I3T*0 I am the new Prometeus= I will steal the spar o% li%e %rom the gods== Igor, youwill have all the liver pat your heart desires== Igor, 3ome here. 1he does2 ive me ahand. 1Igor lays his hand in (i&tor’s and (i&tor &uts into it with a s&alpel, Igor howls2.4ot your hand, you %ool= The hand we dug up this morning.

1Igor gets it.2

I*0 Master, I would lie to shae your hand.

1Igor tri&s him into shaing the dead hand.2

I*0 So master lies the graveyard.

(I3T*0 8es, Master lies the graveyard, Igor. I spend my time nowhere else thesedays. It is only by immersing ourselves in de&ay that we shall rise. I have buried mysel%lie a seed in &ompost but soon dear, insane Igor, wehe shall rise and bloom.

Igor0 But Master he’s got no head.

(I3T*0 4ot yet. The atheist’s ne& was too stret&hed. We need the %resh head. o tothe &ellar Igor and %et&h me a ni&e big %resh head.



Igor0 Master, why not mae a new man with no head:

(I3T*0 With no head:

Igor0 8es, yes= Then Igor have a true %riend. Igor sit with him. 1-i%ts &oat over head2.Pea&e.

(I3T*0 Igor, you are Cuite mad.

Igor0 8es Master, than you.

(I3T*0 1shaes himsel% o%% %rom Igor’s %antasy2 The storm approa&hes and I must tothe tower and &onne&t the lightning rods, Igor. Bolt the door, let no one in.

Igor0 4ot even )liFabeth:

(I3T*0 4o= )spe&ially not )liFabeth. She must now nothing, she must see nothing.

Igor0 4ot even now about the ni&e %resh head:

(I3T*0 )spe&ially not the ni&e %resh head. 1Igor bolts door and gets head.2 To thetower, the storm approa&hes. -ightning, power %rom the sy= I am the new Prometheus, Iwill steal the spar o% li%e %rom the ods.

1(i&tor &limbs the &ages and then disappears into the tower. ! no&ing, it is )liFabeth2.

)-IG!B)TH0 1*utside2 (i&tor= (i&tor=

Igor0 4o need to bang on the door, Miss. Igor got a ey.

)-IG!B)TH0 *h than heavens, how ind you are. /h $ what’s that terrible smell:

Igor0 1Sni%%s.2 That Igor. Igor not had bath $ Igor never had bath.

)-IG!B)TH0 Where is Herr "ranenstein:

Igor0 Master’s in the tower but he tell me to tell people he not here.

)-IG!B)TH0 Well, I am not ;people<. I am his %ian&e ? )liFabeth.

Igor0 )liFabeth= He told me not to tell )liFabeth about the ni&e %resh head ? doh=

)liFabeth0 Head: !re you woring %or Herr "ranenstein: What are you two doing in the/niversity in the middle o% the night:

Igor0 Master say not to say. 4ot about him, not e'periment, not &utting up, espe&ially notthe ni&e %resh head ? doh=



)liFabeth0 What head:

Igor0 The head you not supposed to see.

)-IG!B)TH0 1-oos around.2 Where:

Igor0 This one. 1*pens hatbo'2

1)liFabeth s&reams ? Igor drops head whi&h rolls out on %loor2.

Igor0 !h== Heads is pre&ious= @iss it better:

)-IG!B)TH0 Me:

I*0 8es=

)-IG!B)TH0 4o=

1Igor pursues )-IG!B)TH with the head.2

I*0 @iss the head better= @iss the head better= 1When )-IG!B)TH re%uses Igorisses head better2 Igor iss it better then. 1he isses the head las&iviously.2 )-IG!B)TH0 *h my od, I now what is going on here=== * no== 4o== Please, (i&tor==Please, please. Tell me you haven’t.

1She goes to Monster and li%ts sheet ? pi&s up ele&trode2.

* my god= He has== 1Howls.2 (i&tor= (i&tor= Traitor= -iar= 8ou have betrayed me, youhave betrayed yoursel%= 8ou traitor=

(I3T*0 1!ppearing above her on the way down %rom tower. He is &alm.2 4o, my dear, Ihave betrayed neither humanity nor s&ien&e. I% I am true to these two gods how &an I beun%aith%ul to you $ the best o% humanity and the daughter o% her %ather: It is my destinyto re&reate li%e, and it is yours to stand beside me.

)-IG!B)TH0 8ou gave me your promise, you swore on the body o% my %ather=

(I3T*0 !nd your %ather gave his li%e= I am his son in law to be, I am eeping his %lamealight== We are his heirs, )liFabeth $ with his last words= aise the dead=

1-ightning2.

)-IG!B)TH0 8ou are mad=

(I3T*0 8es, mad as 4ewton and 3olumbus and alileo===



)-IG!B)TH0 It is a monster==

(I3T*0 It is not a monster= It is the %uture o% humanity=

)-IG!B)TH0 It is a nightmare= !nd I have dreamt it==

)-IG!B)TH0 I will destroy this monster= 1grabs a'e2

(I3T*0 Igor=

)-IG!B)TH0 1aises a'e2 I will save us all= 1But Igor has drugged her and she&ollapses into &age2.

(I3T*0 ood wor, Igor.

Igor0 Igor &ut her head o%% now:

(I3T*0 What: 4o=

Igor0 Lust a %inger, then Igor bite one o%%:

1(I3T*0 poes Igor in the eye.2

(I3T*0 )liFabeth, &an you hear me: I pla&e you here in this &age %or your sa%ety. "romhere you will be able to witness my &reation o% li%e. 8ou will see that Man is be&omingod. !nd you will %orgive me be&ause I have no &hoi&e. I &annot hold ba& S&ien&e=What &an be done must be done=

)-IG!B)TH0 * help, help= 4o, no. 1She slumps ba& into semi?&ons&iousness.2

(I3T*0 I will help us all, I will %ree us all. The head, Igor, did you %et&h me a ni&e %reshhead: )'&ellent. 1Taing it and beginning to sew it on2. To the swit&h, Igor. The storm is&oming== -oo out while I %inish the body== Igor, is the storm rising:

Igor0 8es, oh master== 1thunder2.

(I3T*0 1Still sewing2 )'&ellent. 4ature &onspires with us against heaven== We aregods tonight, Igor==

Igor0 Igor steals heads=

(I3T*0 The name o% Igor will be remembered %orever=

Igor0 It &omes==

13rash o% lightning.2

(I3T*0 It &omes= It rises= I &an %eel it=



Igor0 8es, master= 1Thunder2

(I3T*0 Igor, throw the swit&h=

)-IG!B)TH0 1Still groggy2 4o, no=

1-ightning shaes the room again and pulses through the ele&trodes that (I3T*0applies to the sull o% the Monster. (i&tor is thrown ba& by the %or&e. There is a %ier&eglow o% light around the Monster, a sudden bla&out, silen&e, then the lights o% thelaboratory all %li&er into li%e on&e more. ! power%ul ele&tri&al hum rises and %alls.2

(I3T*0 4othing: Have I %ailed:

Igor0 Master, loo==

1The Monster’s arm rises.2

(I3T*0 *, alive== It’s alive=

)-IG!B)TH0 Please= 4o, no==

1The Monster begins to sit up.2

Monster0 1asping %or breath, he blins and opens his eyes and sees )-IG!B)TH, herea&hes out to her2 !rrgh=

(I3T*0 Turn to me, I am your maer= My &hild, I am your %ather $ (i&tor"ranenstein.. yes. It wored= It wored=

)-IG!B)TH0 *, (i&tor== -i%e, I see li%e in its eyes= I see its pain= It %eels= 8ou’ve made it%eel -et me out, (i&tor, let me out I beg you. -et me go==

(I3T*0 Why: To mo& me:

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, no. I do %orgive you= I didn’t believe it was possible== But you havemade li%e. 8ou must %orgive me==

(I3T*0 * my darling= Igor, unbolt the &age. -et her %ree.

Igor0 8es, master. 1Igor undoes the &age. )-IG!B)TH rushes into (I3T*0’s arms andthe Monster howls with Aealousy and staggers %rom the table2.

)-IG!B)TH0 See= 8ou have brought to li%e a heart== )ven "ather would not havebelieved su&h a new %eeling &ould be possible==

(I3T*0 1Holding hand out to Monster but the Monster pushes him aside and grabs %or)-IG!B)TH2. !hhh=



)-IG!B)TH0 Help, help= 1The Monster pi&s her up tenderly2.

(I3T*0 Put her down== -isten to me== Put $ her $ down== 1(I3T*0 has sCuared up tothe Monster.2 Put ? her ? down. Igor help.

1The Monster and (I3T*0 staring at ea&h other. )-IG!B)TH gaping in her horror intothe Monster’s %a&e. Igor gets ether2

Igor0 )ther, master, ether.

1!s )-IG!B)TH s&reams the Monster staggers and (I3T*0 rushes %orward and&at&hes )-IG!B)TH be%ore the Monster drops her. (I3T*0 stands )-IG!B)TH on her %eet, then Igor and (I3T*0 &arry the Monster to the table and tie it there.2

(I3T*0 I see no %eeling in its yellow eyes. I see darness. Where is the beauty: Whereis the genius: What have I &reated: It’s Aust a waling disease==

)liFabeth0 It re&ognised me...

(i&tor0 How &ould it: It has no memory. Its a blan.

)liFabeth0 But it rea&ted to me, as i% it %elt something...

(i&tor0 It %elt 4*THI4= That was brute desire, )liFabeth, nothing more than ele&tri&ity inits mus&les... $ lie a %lapping o% inse&t wings=

)liFabeth0 But you and %ather said that everything IS Aust ele&tri&ity==

(i&tor0 8es, and we must shut it o%%= We must turn it down==

)liFabeth0 But it is not a thing now, (i&tor it has begun to %eel lie a human being=

(i&tor0 Its a Monster=== It &ant even wal properly=

)liFabeth0 But it’s be&oming something== -ie a newborn baby=

(i&tor0 Baby: -oo in its eyes %or god’s sae= Do you see &orruption lie that in the eyeso% a new born baby: What ind o% baby is that: -oo, it’s waing again== 1The Monsterbegins to move slowly.2 -oo at it== ! stining grave on two legs== !4D IT @4*WSTH!T== It’s going mad already= @ill it, Igor=

1Igor has the a'e.2

)liFabeth0 -oo=

1The Monster grunts and gurgles and tries to li%t its arm to )liFabeth.2



(i&tor0 -oo what you are doing== 8ou’re e'&iting it== Do you want a Monster to %all inlove with you==

)liFabeth0 8our anger is maing me %eel that has already happened

1The Monster roars in Aealousy.2

(i&tor0 Be &are%ul what you are you dragging us into, )liFabeth= There is no li%e here. It is Aust a mess=

)liFabeth0 But you said that this is what human is= That this is all there is... this is us= Weare no more than the sum o% our parts, (i&tor. 8ou have made an image o% yoursel%...and you are Aealous o% it==

(i&tor0 What: Lealous= -oo at it=

)liFabeth0 -oo at yoursel%== It has everything you have... even your stupid Aealousy==

(i&tor0 Please... )liFabeth

1The Monster grunts her name0 ;ISS)B)<. (i&tor utterly horri%ied. 2

(i&tor0 * my god, did you hear that: The longer we eep this thing alive the more it isimitating us. -oo in its eyes $ they were empty, but now they are beginning to %ill upwith /S I have made a vampire Igor, ill it== 1(i&tor holds out his hand %or the a'e,but )liFabeth pulls his arm away2

)liFabeth0 4o== This is your masterpie&e=

(I3T*0 Then, i% we are eCual, &hoose between us= )ither I ill the Monster or I illmysel%. Igor, unless, this young lady orders you to ill the Monster, ill me. Split my headopen.

Igor0 (ery well, Master. 1-i%ts a'e.2

)-IG!B)TH0 Stop, no= 4*= 1S-*W M*TI*4 seCuen&e. )liFabeth throws hersel%between Igor and (I3T*, beating I* and embra&ing (I3T*.2.

(I3T*0 *, )liFabeth, let us leave this laboratory and never see this monster again.

)-IG!B)TH0 1Weeping2 (i&tor, o (i&tor, o% &ourse I &hoose you, I &ould not live withoutyou=

(I3T*0 The aim o% this e'periment was to &reate li%e not the -iving Dead.

)-IG!B)TH0 I am my %ather’s daughter. )nd the e'periment. 1)liFabeth gives the a'e toIgor.2



1The Monster &overs her mouth, she struggles $ he a&&identally ills her and hangs herbody on the washing line Aust as (i&tor runs on, attra&ted by the s&reams2.

(I3T*0 *h, heavens, no, no= 1The monster runs o%%.2 The monster has stru& again= Ihave &reated a iller. I am a murderer= 1There is blood on his hands. 4oise o%

disturban&e o%%. The Mob are &oming.2

T*W4SW*M!4 1rushing on20 !h murderer=

(I3T*0 I now this loos very, very badQ there is a %reshly illed &orpse over there, Ihave an a'e in one hand and blood on the other. !nd I’ve Aust told you I am themurderer. But I’m not. Shush. -isten. I am a s&ientist looing %or a monster. Have youseen it:

T*W4SW*M!40 4o.

(I3T*0 I9ll be on my way then....: 1Starts to leave2.

1Poli&eman enters2.

P*-I3)0 3orpse, a'e ?

T*W4SW*M!40 Blood on his hands=

P*- T*W4SW*M!40 Murderer=

1Poli&eman &hases (I3T* o%%.

(I3T*0 I am inno&ent, inno&ent. It was the Monster=

T*W4SW*M!40 1o% dead washerwoman2 What will I do: She was my only %riend

SCENE 2

1In the dar the silhouette o% the now &lothed Monster ? his shadow is &ast a&ross thestage ? he howls and is seemingly answered by the noises o% the town $ a %a&tory steamwhistle, a hunting horn, a bell.

The Monster %lits %rom shadow to shadow, gradually the sound te'ture and light&hanges. He is in the %orest ? he wals into sunlight and sees it on his hands and %or the%irst time a smile &rosses his %a&e ? he listens to a bird and tries to imitate it with horribleresults that he %inds pleasing.

He hears the voi&es o% humans and in %ear &reeps into a &orner.

! blind woman is led into a ;house< by her daughter. The women pray as the Monster



peeps through a window2

D!/HT)0 I’ll be o%% to the %orest, mother.

1The blind woman starts to play the %lute. The Monster is entran&ed. He wanders into the

hut2.

B-I4D W*M!40 1Sounds lie the %ollowing words.2 Is anyone there: 8es:

1The Monster wants the musi& to &ontinue ? he li%ts the %lute up and gives it ba& to theBlind woman2.

B-I4D0 !re you dumb: So the blind and the dumb meet in the %orest. It is a gi%t %romheaven. 1Sense2 !h, silent %riend. 8ou wish to hear more musi&. -isten.

Monster0 1Trying2 -i?ii?sun.

B-I4D0 8es, listen to musi&.

M*4ST)0 Moo. Moo.

B-I4D0 1Plays a seCuen&e2 Musi&.

M*4ST)0 Mew ?FFi&.

D!/HT)0 1*%%2 *h Mother=

1Monster pani&s and runs2.

D!/HT)0 1eal spee&h2 *h Mother, there you are. Were you playing:

B-I4D W*M!40 *h Lustine, a poor dumb man &ame to listen to me. It tou&hed myheart. The blind playing %or the dumb.

D!/HT)0 Where is he now:

B-I4D W*M!40 He %led when he heard you &oming. He is timid. I must &harm him withmy %lute. But now let us pray and give thans. 1They pray $ while the Monster &hopswood and lays the wood beside the house with a %lower on top o% the pile?all unseen bythe daughter et&2.

M*4ST)0 Musi&

D!/HT)0 Well mother, I must return to the %orest $ suddenly sees &hopped wood2.-oo= -oo= !n angel has sent us a gi%t. !nd loo? there is a %lower.

B W0 How %ragrant= 1Smelling %lower2 I thin it was no angel that blessed us with this gi%tbut my poor dumb %riend. We are blessed, indeed.



M*4ST)0 4o Monster=

B-I4D W*M!40 What is it:

D40 1S&reams and ra&es to save mother ? M*4ST) goes to prote&t mother as he sees

it %rom s&reams and pulls daughter away. Then throws her a&ross stage and &alls %ormusi& but Daughter is dead and B-I4D W*M!4 desperately tries to %ind daughter2.

B-I4D W*M!40 Lustine: Lustine: *h my od where are you :

M*4ST)0 ;Three blind mi&e==; 1Then M*4ST) too realises something is wrong andgoes to dead daughter ? over&ome with remorse he pushes blind woman aside andruns2.

B-I4D W*M!40 *h murder, murder= The Devil, the devil is among us, sweet Satan indisguise has murdered my daughter, Help= Help=

S3)4) N

1Thunder, darness the Monster running through %orest that now be&omes a pla&e o%terror and dogs are heard and the &alls and howls o% the mob.2

S3)4) O013ourtroom.2

(I3T*0 I am inno&ent= I tell you= 8ou must believe I never tou&hed that woman== It wassomething that I &reated I &reated it with my own hands it’s out there==

Ludge0 1re&orded voi&e2 The muni&ipal &ourt o% Ingolstadt %inds (i&tor "ranenstein guiltyo% the murder o% "rau (on Was&hsalon. Despite the entertainment your little story aboutmonsters has given us all, Herr "ranenstein, I have no &hoi&e but to senten&e you tobe hanged by the ne& until you are dead. Tae him away.

(I3T*0 1In &hains2 4o= I’m inno&ent, it wasn’t me= It wasn’t me==

(Cheers of mob as Victor thrown in prison).

S3)4) #

1)liFabeth is outside the prison gate2.

)-IG!B)TH0 8ou idiots== He’s inno&ent== /se your eyes== /se your brains== 8ou’re goingto ill him== 8ou idiots== 8ou are no better than the beast itsel%==1oes to door2 I must see my %ian&= Hello:1@no&s ?old &rone gaoler &omes to hal%opened door2.



!*-)0 What do you want:

)-IG!B)TH0 I wish to spea to my %ian& (i&tor "ranenstein.

!*-)0 Who:

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor "ranenstein, the inno&ent man who was arrested %or murder.

!*-)0 *h, him that is hal% way to Hell: They9ll hang him tomorrow=

)-IG!B)TH0 4o.no= He is inno&ent=

!*-)0 He was &aught red handed,and he9ll swing %or it.

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, let me in. -et me see him, let me in=

!*-)0 4ah, nah, no visits %or the &ondemned. It9s the rules.

)-IG!B)TH0 Have pity=

!*-)0 Pity== 8oung lady, this is Ingolstadt= 1Slams door2.

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor= *h (i&tor= 1e'its.2

S3)4)

1TH) !*-. (i&tor is &aged. The gaoler is lo&ing the &age.2

(i&tor0 I’m inno&ent= Someone hear my story==

aoler0 I’m not interested in your silly story==

(I3T*0 -et me out== -et me out== 8ou’re maing a terrible mistae==

aoler0 *, I’m maing a mistae: 4o, it’s you that made the mistae, young man $murdering a woman in broad daylight

(I3T*0 4o, you idiot= I never tou&hed that poor woman, It was something I &reated... athing made %rom the dead pie&es o% men ... stit&hed it together with %ishing line... !nd it’sout there= It has no soul== We must stop the monster==

aoler0 The only monster in Ingolstadt is you and pretty soon we will be breaing yourne& %or it=

(I3T*0 "or the sae o% the world= I have to spea to someone with some brains1starts to weep2.



!*-)0 4ow, that’s not very polite

(I3T*0 *h it’s all hopeless= Hopeless==

!*-)0 8eah, that’s right, it’s hopeless.. But &heer up. We all have to die. 8ou’re not

spe&ial. There is no point in getting yoursel% upset about it. 8ou illed the poorwasherwoman so you have to pay %or it. *nly a %ew more hours now $ they’ll soon pass,then it will be morning and $ &hhhh==

(I3T*0 But I’m inno&ent= !nd there’s a monster out there somewhere=

-0 *, monsters== The only monsters are human ones. The day I believe in"ranenstein’s monster is the day I &an %ly==

1The Monster has appeared and dropped down behind the aoler ? (i&tor sees it andpoints to the eys on the aoler’s belt. aoler sees the Monster.2

-0 !aaaah==

M*4ST)0 1oars and grabs aoler2 "ree=

-0 Help= ! Monster=

M*4ST)0 "ree=

-0 1Being dragged, struggling.2 I &an’t $ it’s against the rules==

(I3T*0 et the eys== The eys==

M*4ST)0 4o time.

1M*4ST) throws aoler a&ross stage, then breas open bars2.

(I3T*0 "ree= "ree= 8ou &ame to save me= 8ou are good= 8ou D* have a ind heart=="ree, %ree= 8ou must tae me to )liFabeth, to my beloved=

M*4ST)0 4o, no. 8ou are my prisoner, now. 8ou &annot es&ape me. 3ome &ome=

(I3T*0 What= What, where are you taing me: Help= Help=

1Monster e'its with (i&tor over his shoulder in &hains2.

aoler0 1Staggering %rom wings, rubbing his head, wobbling steps2. I &an %ly= I &an %ly= !nd there are Monsters. The Monster=

S3)4) 5



1Snowy mountain top.2.

(I3T*0 Why do you bring me here: There is no li%e here

M*4ST)0 It is away %rom humanity. 3old. Wind. I&e. I am alone.

(I3T*0 My god, is this where you. live: But I do not pity you. 8ou are a Devil.

M*4ST)0 I saved you, my &reator= 8ou owe me your pity.

(I3T*0 8ou have saved me %rom the death that you should su%%er= I wish I &ould illyou and trample you to dust=

M*4ST)0 I new you would be so. !ll men hate those who su%%er ? how then must Ibe hated, I who am more miserable than any living thing= 8es $ you are surprised, but Iam a student now=== I have studied the ways o% you &reatures. !nd you are all the same ?even you, my &reator, will detest and hate me. 8ou even wish to ill me= How dare you ?a man $ play with li%e: -oo at me. -oo at my %a&e. -oo at my eyes. Do you see mysu%%ering: 8ou thin you see nothing, emptiness. That is your re%le&tion. Beneath that ismy loneliness= !nd my su%%ering $ %or whi&h 8*/ are responsible== I am your wor $ andI warn you I will turn on you, i% you do not %ul%il my wish==

(I3T*0 How dare you== I am to blame: 8ou don’t lie me maing you: (ery well, then,&ome with me and I will destroy what I made.

1(I3T*0 leaps on M*4ST), who bears his blows and eventually pla&es thee'hausted and weeping (i&tor against a sheet o% i&e2.

M*4ST)0 -isten= -isten= )ven in this wret&hed li%e I e'ist== *ut in the &old I amhere. I want to live even though I now only loneliness and pain. I have learnt torespe&t my strange li%e, why &an you not: Do not %orget, you have made me morepower%ul than any man=

1ears up and (I3T*0 &owers2

(I3T*0 1Terri%ied.2 Do you mean to ill me:

M*4ST)0 How &an I: I am your &reature. I &annot destroy that whi&h has givenme li%e. 8ou are my lord and ing, you are my %ather $ though I &annot maeyou love me. I will leave you alone I" you will give me what you owe me, the gi%tyou must give to me.

(I3T*0 What gi%t &an you deserve:

M*4ST)0 Mae a %emale %or me. ! woman &reature that I &an live with andshare our lives together. -ie your &reature. )liFabeth. 8ou alone &an do this,only you now the se&ret. This is my right.



(I3T*0 ight: 8ou have no rights. o= I re%use your reCuest. o= I will never&reate your monster bride=

M*4ST)0 I am not a worm= I% you re%use Then do I swear eternal hatred %or

you, &reator. I &annot ill my god, but I &an destroy the ones you love.

(I3T*0 8ou mean )liFabeth= Don’t you dare to threaten my beloved=

M*4ST)0 3reate a mate %or me, a &reature as horrible as me so that only wemay bear ea&h other, or I will destroy the one you love.

1(i&tor slumps in despair.2

(I3T*0 ! whole ra&e o% devils== How &an I release su&h terror into the world=

M*4ST)0 4o, no, -isten= I% you grant my prayer, neither you nor any otherhuman being shall ever see us again. We will hide our %a&es %rom the world. Wemay not be happy lie you, but we will be harmless and %ree %rom this misery. Iwant only to now pea&e and be human?lie and to %eel 1struggling with word,%or the %irst time he %eels its meaning2 love.

(I3T*0 1Moved.2 How &an I re%use you:

M*4ST)0 *h= My &reator, let me %eel some gratitude towards you= -et me seethat I e'&ite the sympathy o% some living thingQ do not leave me alone, not alone=

!!!H= !lone %orever= !aaah= 4ot alone:::

1His wail e&hoes through the mountains2

(I3T*0 Juietly= Juietly= 8ou’ll bring the snow &rashing down= 8ou’ll destroy usboth== I% you promise to leave )urope %orever I shall. mae %or you your bride. M*4ST)0 I swear it, by the sun, and by the blue sy o% heaven, and by the %ireo% love that burns my heart, you will never see me again. 1Monster taes (i&tor’shead in his hands.2 8ou gave me li%e. There was no li%e and you gave me it. Didyou give me a soul then:

(I3T*0 4o=

M*4ST)0 Do not deny me. Do not deny the holiness you &annot see. I have it,do I not: I have a soul: 1(I3T*0 nods.2 o home and begin your wor. Maeli%e= I will be wat&hing you. 1)'its2

1! great gust o% wind. (I3T* at the point o% physi&al &ollapse.2

(I3T*0 *h &loud, oh wind, stars %roFen i&e. S&ream out, howl at the terriblepromise I have made. I am the &reator o% evil. 3ome, avalan&he== Bury me== Bury



me== *r I will dig up the dead=

1But the avalan&he does not &ome and (i&tor staggers o%% through the snow.2

S3)4) 7

1!s the light &hanges and the !lps vanish the wind still howls and (i&tordes&ends’ and wals around the stage against the %or&e o% the wind until heopens his ’door’. The Monster is seen standing over the sleeping )liFabeth. !s(i&tor no&s and she waes he hides himsel% in her room. )liFabeth rushes to(i&tor’s arms2.

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor: (i&tor, (i&tor $ res&ued, redeemed, returned==

(I3T*0 4o, it is a shadow you see be%ore you. ! man o% i&e. 3hained to my %oul&reation=

)-IG!B)TH0 1PuFFled.2 But you are %ree, the senten&e o% death has been $ whenthe reports o% the Monster spread through the town the Ludge pardoned you= TheMonster is no danger nowQ they will hunt him down lie the animal he is. !lthoughpart o% my heart must pity him, he was ind to me, (i&tor, he &alled me his%riend...He res&ued you. Perhaps we have misAudged him:

(I3T*0 MisAudged: 4o. *nly his intelligen&e. He has be&ome &lever now $ hes&hemes and plans== I too too pity on him and I shall pay %or that== I should havebeen stronger $ I would have denied himi% only it had been a threat against myown li%e= How &ould I deny him when he threatened you, my pre&ious darling:

)-IG!B)TH0 He threatened me: Why: Be&ause you denied him what:

(I3T*0 ! mate, a bride %or the monster o% "ranenstein.

)-IG!B)TH0 Who would marry su&h a demon: )ven the hags in the town run%rom him=

(I3T*0 4o one would marry him= That is why I have promised $ against thethreat upon your li%e ? to &reate him a bride as repulsive and as hideous ashimsel%.

)-IG!B)TH0 3an you do that, (i&tor:

(I3T*0 4o. I &annot do it, I &annot do it morally, physi&ally, I &annot do italone== But we &an= !nd we must= *r our wedding night will be our last on thisearth.

)-IG!B)TH0 *, (i&tor, I worship you. Where do we begin:



(I3T*0 To the graveyard. 3ome= The %ate%ul promise has been made. 3ome=

M*4ST)0 1!ppearing2 My bride will rise= 1)'it2.

S3)4) >6

1Howling wind, a moon, the graveyard in Ingolstadt, (i&tor is digging %uriouslywhilst )liFabeth helps ? the Monster wat&hes, perhaps with a teles&ope2.

(I3T*0 4o= /seless, hopeless. What use is this: 1He tosses body parts about.2It’s no better than dry bones and rotting mess== 1Holds up a bone and snaps it.Tosses the pie&es away.2

)-IG!B)TH0 We must try again, loo $ a %resh grave= ! woman o% ? there’s onlya name, no age,

(I3T*0 1He %or&es open the grave and drops down and appears to prise openthe &o%%in.2 Damn these &o%%in nails== Do they %ear the &orpse will leap out:

)-IG!B)TH0 !h the stin= The sten&h=

(I3T*0 1Holding de&ayed sull2 4o, Aust rotting %lesh== -iCuid== This womanmust have been ninety years old. Do no young women die in Ingoldstadt anymore: Damn these modern do&tors and their drugs== Damn medi&ine== Damns&ien&e== Has death lost its appetite %or the young=

)-IG!B)TH0 Then let the Monster’s bride be old=

(I3T*0 4o, no. We need organs o% Cuality= We need youth and vitality i% it is torevive=

1! noise o%%2.

)-IG!B)TH0 Jui&, (i&tor, someone is &oming= -et us run.

(I3T*0 4o, no, hide in this grave.

)-IG!B)TH0 4o, no ? I &annot ? her sull stares at me. There are worms=

(I3T*0 3ome, Cui&ly=

1They Aump into grave.2

1! woman enters the graveyard, &rying and muttering she prays, runs a rosarythrough her hands and lays %lowers on a grave very &lose to where the &ouplehide. She prays2.

(I3T*0 1Whispering as woman prays be%ore grave2. -oo at her ? how young



she is: Her sin, so unmared ... How it shines==

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor, you sound lie a ghoul.

(I3T*0 Perhaps she &an be the one

)-IG!B)TH0 (i&tor, I see where this is running. Please , no

(I3T*0 We have to= -oo at me. We have to=

)-IG!B)TH0 46, (i&tor, no we &annot do this This is murder= This is wrong=

(I3T*0 ! li%e %or a li%e. 13rawling up behind the woman and li%ting pi&a'e or&rowbar, a movement behind another grave, it is the Monster2.

)-IG!B)TH0 4o. This is evil=

M*/4)0 What: *h great Lesus= 1Turns so that pi&a'e+&rowbar onlywounds her arm2.

(I3T*0 1Dropping pi&a'e in horror ? tou&hing blood in wound in biFarre way2What am I doing:

M*/4)0 Stop Help= Murder= Help= 1uns s&reaming ? distant bells o% alarmstart2.

)-IG!B)TH0 1ushing to (I3T*02 *h (i&tor, (i&tor, let us run %rom here, run,run %ar away== !re we trying to save our lives only to lose our souls:

(I3T*0 We are both damned, )liFabeth= There is no going ba&=

1! terrible s&ream and a howl Aust o%%stage, the Monster enters with the dead bodyo% the Mourner, maybe Aust twit&hing and he delivers the %inal blow as he dumpsthe &orpse in pie&es in a sa& at (i&tor’s %eet2.

M*4ST)0 4ow you &an %ree yourselves. ! promise has been made. It is time tomae my bride.

1Monster taes hand %rom the sa&.2

)-IG!B)TH0 8ou horrible devil== 8ou base, ugly thing== 8ou throw our sins in our%a&es== It is time only to destroy you $ even i% I must perish in the event=

(I3T*0 4o, wait, wait..

)-IG!B)TH0 Help= Help= The Monster is here= Help= Help= Murder=

(I3T*0 )liFabeth, no= no=



14oise o% shouting , bells and baring dogs to end o% s&ene2.

M*4ST)0 4* ? my %ru?end= 8ou are my %ru?end= 1To )-IG!B)TH2

)-IG!B)TH0 Devil== et ba&= 1M*4ST) throws &orpse to (I3T* andrea&hes out to )-IG!B)TH, tenderly but %irmly li%ting her2.

(I3T*0 The townspeople are &oming==

M*4ST)0 1T* (I3T*02 un, run we have no time. We must mae my bridetonight=

(I3T*0 8es==

1They %lee pursued by the sounds o% the gathering mob2.

S3)4) >>

T*W4SW*M!40 1holds a sti%% lead indi&ating a dog straining at the leash2 (i&tor"ranenstein, we will &at&h you and your murdering monster== My sni%%er dog willsear&h you out== We are not all stupid== The people o% Ingolstadt==

1The -aboratory. (I3T*0 throws down the body o% the mourner and bolts thedoor2.

(I3T*0 Than heavens this laboratory is in a tower, we may hold o%% the mob %or an hour or so

)-IG!B)TH0 1Sobbing2 Please. -et me go. -et me go

M*4ST)0 Do, it, do it now or I will never let her go. She is in my power now.8ou understand.

(I3T*0 Put her down or I will do nothing, demon.

M*4ST)0 But she will betray us:

)-IG!B)TH0 8ou are both betraying yourselves==

(I3T*0 1-osing it2 I have always been a slave o% s&ien&e= 4ow I am his slave=

)-IG!B)TH0 -et me die ? you have broen my heart.

(I3T*0 I must &age you, )liFabeth. I have no &hoi&e. There’s no pla&e %orgoodness in what I have to do.



)-IG!B)TH0 There is always a &hoi&e, (i&tor, always $ between ordinary goodand ordinary evil.

(I3T*0 3age her=

1(i&tor bows his head. He will not help her. She submits and steps into the &age ?M*4ST) holds out his hand and she no&s it away2

(I3T*0 4ow, let’s &ut o%% this head and get at the brain. 1Taes saw, no&ingstarts below2.

1! rumble o% thunder2.

(I3T*0 !h, the god o% thunder. 4ature blesses us. 4ature loos down on us andorders our &reation=

1-ightning %lash. Monster raises its arm to the sy.2

M*4ST)0 Master= Maer=

(*I3) *""0 3ome out, Do&tor "ranenstein, we now you are in there.1Suddenly a shot2.

M*4ST)0 What=

(I3T*0 They are %iring ? their patheti& hunting ri%les $ those bullets &an do us noharm. Why I have seen them boun&e o%% a deer let alone this mighty tower thathas withstood Turish &annon. 1With bloody hands2 -et us prepare the heart, my&reature, the heart=

1Thunder, a se&ond shot and &ries. !s (I3T*0 wors )-IG!B)TH puts her handround the &age and slips open the lo&, in an instant she is out and up, she either &limbs to a window or unbolts the door2.

)-IG!B)TH0 Here, here the illers are here=

(I3T*0 1Dropping Cuivering organ2 4o, no what are you doing:

1! shot and )-IG!B)TH %alls ba& into the Monster’s arms. Dead2.

(I3T*0 !h== )liFabeth: )liFabeth: !h= !h== 4o, no, no=== . *h &ursed %ate. 1Hes&reams out o% the window.2 8ou murdering imbe&iles== 1Then to the Monster.2 getaway %rom her= 8ou have brought me to this this is all your maing== @ill me== Ihave nothing le%t to live %or ? I wish only to Aoin my darling in her grave.

M*4ST)0 4o, no, my %ri?end, my %riend.



(I3T*0 She hated you=

M*4ST)0 4o, no. 1He grabs )liFabeth’s &orpse and rests her on the table,pushing the hal% made ;bride< o%% the table2.

(I3T*0 What are you doing:

M*4ST)0 8ou &an mae her new. 4ew li%e=

(I3T*0 What: 1He hadn’t thought o% this.2 4o, no.the bullet. It hit her in theheart=

M*4ST)0 8ou have another heart, Here, here 1ips out organ %rom %irst&orpse2.

(I3T*0 "ool, eep your &lumsy hands o%% that= It’s mine= My god, you are right==We &ould re?mae her== We &ould mae an angel==

M*4ST)0 I am your student.

(I3T*0 Mo. I have no students. I am the maer. I am the &reator. *nly (i&tor"ranenstein will re?mae his )liFabeth= To the tower== We must be ready==1-ightning.2 The storm rises= The swit&h, throw the swit&h=

1)liFabeth Aolts to li%e, her %a&e de%ormed, blood dripping %rom her2.

(I3T*0 *h )liFabeth= 8ou live, you live== My love, my heart’s desire, my mira&le, my&reation==

1(i&tor steps ba& to admire his handiwor. M*4ST) drops down to ground ? evennow smoe is starting to %ill the stage2.

M*4ST)0 1*pening arms2 My bride=

(I3T*0 What:

1)-IG!B)TH who was starting to move towards (I3T*0 with a pained loo noti&es theMonster2.

M*4ST)0 My ber?you?ti%ul bride=

1!s )liFabeth turns to the Monster. )liFabeth begins to stumble towards the overAoyedMonster.2

M*4ST)0 * Aoy, * rapture==

(I3T*0 This is our ring, )liFabeth= Do you not re&ognise me: I’m your %ian&, (i&tor==8our husband?to?be= That’s the Monster==



M*4ST)0 W e are not monsters $ we are the %uture==

1)-IG!B)TH turns to the Monster, %alling into his arms2.

)-IG!B)TH0 1to the M*4ST)2 Husband.

M*4ST)0 My love=

(I3T*0 4o= 4o= 4o= 4o== I own your both= 8ou belong to me= I &reated you= Where areyou going: 3ome ba&= 3ome ba&==

1The mob $ &arrying burning tor&hes ? brea down the door and the stage turns red, asthe Monster taes )liFabeth and then es&apes out o% the tower with a mighty leap.

M*B0 Burn him=

(I3T*0 8ou %ools, how &an I burn== I am already in Hell= We are all going to Hell=

1(I3T* in despair atta&hes himsel% to the ele&tri&al ma&hine and ills himsel% as themob burst in. The tower and laboratory burn in a great pall o% smoe. "lames &onsume"ranenstein ? the Monster and his bride have es&aped2.

Epilogue:

1The 3lone returns2.

3-*4)0 So the Monster did not die, he lived $ and his &hildren are the %uture0generi&ally engineered and s&ienti%i&ally sele&ted. !nd we are here $ the %uture hasarrived. This is our revenge. To you this is a horror story= "or us, it is our boo o%enesis. !nd what’s worse %or you $ this time it is true

1The 3loned Pro%essor, hal% beast hal% man wals on2.

(I3T*0 Damned== Damned== Damned==

THE END

3opyright Paul Stebbings Phil Smith E66OpaulUtnt?theatre.netTNT theatre Britain for ADG Europe.

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