Bringing monsters and the audience to life!

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (It's pronounced Fronkensteen!) is the hilarious comedy musical based on the smash hit 1974 film. Following its critically acclaimed run on Broadway in 2007 and subsequent US tour, Brooks has finally brought Young Frankenstein to the West-End where it has taken over the Garrick Theatre. Brooks, at the ripe age of 91, co-directs the comedy with Susan Stroman (who also choreographed this adaptation).

I've always been one who's struggled with comedy, and when I read it was a comedy musical I did have my doubts about whether it would be able to cope with my slow processing of jokes (I'm always the one person who sits there saying "I don't get it")...but luckily every one-liner and witty gag hit the spot!

It's the story of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Hadley Fraser) a professor so ashamed of his family's past that he pronounces his infamous surname 'Fronkensteen' and his journey to his inherited mansion in Transylvania. Bidding goodbye to his fiancee, Elizabeth Benning (Dianna Pilkington) and her strict no-touching or kissing rule (mainly because she wears Taffeta), he heads off to deepest darkest Europe to discover his legacy.

Greeted on his arrival by Igor (Ross Noble) and the number "Together Again (For the First Time)" the show creates a bond that evidently mirrors some of the great duos; Laurel and Hardy, Morecambe and Wise to name a few. They journey together to the mansion upon a horse and haycart, and this is where Inga - the Doctor's yodelling, seductive new assistant - comes to light. After a very bouncy number, the trio arrive at the Mansion and are welcomed by the housekeeper - Frau Blucher, played by Lesley Joseph - whose name being mentioned (even when whispered) sends the horses into a frenzy.

Frau Blucher's number "He Vas My Boyfriend" has to be my favourite number! The comedic value it carries with its cabaret flair makes you instantly warm to her - proclaiming the late Dr. Frankenstein won in a three legged race... on his own! This kept the crowd roaring with laughter all the way through, and at the end of each number that received a similar reception, you could see the pure joy and appreciation on each actor's face - which for me made it a comfortable affair, you were all there for the same thing, a laugh.

The Monster, played by the original Broadway and US Tour star Shuler Hensley, captured the bewilderment of what you picture the Frankenstein Monster to be. His meeting with Harold the Hermit (Patrick Clancy) was a brief sketch but so worth it for the side-splitting moments that followed.

I could go on forever about Young Frankenstein; the adult humour, choreography, set design and how the cast would break the fourth wall really made you feel just as much a part of this production as they were. It wasn't the Garrick Theatre welcoming us in, it was Young Frankenstein. As cliche as it sounds, you left the theatre feeling alive! And it's not only the dead they're bringing back, but it will also be myself... I can't help but want to watch it again.

View our show pages for more information about Young Frankenstein, Garrick Theatre.