Young Frankenstein at Liverpool Playhouse
Kristy Stott, Theatre EditorBook now
Young Frankenstein
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
This Christmas, Liverpool Playhouse welcomes the UK tour of Young Frankenstein – Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny musical comedy – as its seasonal showstopper. Fresh from a regional premiere at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, where it’s part of the venue’s 10th anniversary celebrations, this gloriously ghoulish hit arrives in Liverpool just in time for Christmas, perfect for anyone craving a burst of upbeat, madcap sparkle over the festive season.
Inspired by Brooks’ much-loved 1974 cult film, Young Frankenstein takes the gothic chills of Mary Shelley’s classic and spins them into pure slapstick. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced ‘Fronk-en-steen’) inherits his infamous grandfather’s estate in deepest Transylvania, only to find himself drawn into the family business of mad science. With the help of Igor (‘Eye-gore’) and glamorous lab assistant Inga, he builds a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Naturally, the monster escapes and chaos ensues.
At the helm is award-winning director and choreographer Nick Winston, whose previous hits include Mame at Hope Mill and Bonnie & Clyde in the West End. Expect charm, spot-on comic timing and fancy footwork.
From the comedy mind behind Broadway smash The Producers, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein takes all the wit and energy of the hit film and supercharges it with theatrical flair. The score bursts with gleefully irreverent numbers – from the infectious ‘The Transylvania Mania’ to the gloriously daft ‘He Vas My Boyfriend’ – plus a showstopping tap routine to Irving Berlin’s ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’, that needs to be seen to be believed.
With its killer combination of laugh-out-loud comedy, toe-tapping tunes and a generous dose of spooky silliness, Young Frankenstein is the perfect Christmas ticket for anyone seeking festive fun with a twist. A joy for comedy lovers and ideal for families with older kids aged 13+, it promises a night of riotous musical joy.
