Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Original sound design

FreeRoam Theatre’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein reimagined the gothic classic through an innovative combination of immersive staging, evocative sound design, and original music composition. Remaining faithful to the thematic and emotional core of Shelley’s narrative, the production examined the consequences of Victor Frankenstein’s hubris, the Creature’s alienation, and the universal yearning for connection.

The original sound design and music played a central role in shaping the production’s atmosphere, employing a blend of analogue and digital techniques to craft a layered auditory experience. The soundscape incorporated the crackling of electrical currents to evoke the laboratory’s macabre energy and utilised mournful tonalities to express the Creature’s isolation. Complementing this, the original score underscored key emotional beats, blending orchestral and experimental elements to create a haunting and dynamic musical framework. The music shifted fluidly between moments of beauty and dread, reflecting the emotional tension at the heart of the narrative.

Dynamic spatial audio techniques further enhanced the immersive experience, allowing sound and music to traverse the performance space and mirror the Creature’s movement and psychological state. This auditory approach heightened the tension and underscored the emotional complexity of the story, deepening the audience’s engagement.

Through this adaptation, FreeRoam Theatre prompted audiences to reconsider the ethical boundaries of creation and destruction. The production’s integration of sound design and music not only amplified the horror and beauty of Shelley’s text but also offered a fresh perspective on its enduring relevance.