Mary Shelley

by Helen Edmundson

Renowned ensemble Shared Experience and acclaimed playwright Helen Edmundson combine forces on this astonishing play about one of history's most extraordinary women. Mary Shelley explores the title character's remarkable life, from her scandalous teenage elopement to her authorship of Frankenstein —the radical novel that changed the literary landscape forever.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2012

About the author

Helen Edmundson is a British playwright and screenwriter. She has won awards and critical acclaim both for her original writing and for her adaptations of various literary classics for the stage and screen.

Edmundson was born in Liverpool, in 1964. Most of her childhood was spent on the Wirral and in Chester. She studied Drama at Manchester University.

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

No doubt Shelley lived a fascinating life, but I am not so sure the stage is the proper canvas in which to try to capture it (there have been several movie adaptations also, which haven't fared much better, however). Although the playwright limits her scope to merely the three pivotal years of 1814-7 (and ends even before the publication of Frankenstein: The 1818 Text), it still seems quite unwieldy, with 37 short scenes crammed across a three-hour playing time - it's just too much information to try to assimilate comfortably.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/201....

[Lucia Collado · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a lot of action per se. A surprisingly critical look into idealism, early radicalism, intellectualism - and also, compromise? But anyway, boring story, fascinating characters. Mary was not very likeable, Jane was insufferable, Percy was a royal prick, and Fanny broke my heart. It’s true what the afterword says: ‘each of the principal characters could be the subject of a play in their own right’. I almost wish this had been the approach!

[Salli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to get to half way through before anything really happened. And in the end I am not sure that much did happen. I ask myself if this would be a lesser play if it did not concern famous people. Maybe it is because the actual dismay and horror of the rest of the world is seen only through Mrs Godwin, everyone else seems to live in a sort of bubble of their own making. I suppose it comes down to your value for your own reputation and how it affects your income and ability to pay for your food and lodgings. I felt the themes were underdeveloped on the page, but I would go to see it to see if it comes over differently when 'stood up'

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I found the book to be very thought-provoking. Mary's life certainly was venturous, I guess you can say. Overall, it's a good book and an interesting telling of her life and what led to her creation of Frankenstein.

[Hanna Wilhelmina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Shelley had a very interesting life, which I’m glad is being highlighted. But I wish that it would have drawn more similarities between her life and her inspiration for her most famous work: Frankenstein. I think it would have been an interesting parallel. It felt a bit crammed pacing wise.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at Mary Shelley and her family, covering Mary's late teens and first years with Percy. Some good parts for women (albeit younger women - playing age late teens).

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/6 points, play-script, yes, very interesting psychological exploration

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Helen Edmundson's work. It's long, slow, and thoughtful (and thus probably not for everyone), but I find the way she crafts her stories to be truly beautiful and comforting and relatable. Though Mary Shelley is not my favorite of Edmundson's work, I very much enjoyed reading it. I doubt I will get a chance to see it performed, but if I do—I will jump.

[Beth Younge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting play but lacked interesting points in some scenes. Felt a bit too long for my liking, scenes could be cut!