This unique international collaboration will premiere at The Arts Centre Edge Hill University (EHU), marking the first time this popular show has been performed in English.
For the past four weeks, students from both universities have been rehearsing together for this student-led creative musical, which is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel.
The original Korean version, created by Wang Yong-beom and Brandon Lee, has been a massive success, running every two years since its debut in 2014 and becoming one of the country’s highest-grossing musicals.
Rebekah Pritchard, Edge Hill’s Lecturer in Musical Theatre and the show’s musical director said: “To see them connect and perform together has been the highlight of this entire journey. It’s an incredible opportunity for Edge Hill to host this production, especially with a director of such high regard from South Korea. Both sets of students have gained invaluable experience collaborating on this unique project.
“Our production team has also been fantastic, building a sustainable set from recycled pallets and repurposing costumes from past shows like 40 Elephants. While this may be a one-off performance at Edge Hill, we are hopeful that we can secure an invitation to perform at the Daegu International Music Festival next year with this same cast, which would be an amazing next step in their careers.”
This musical adaptation offers a different take on the classic story. The show is told from the monster’s point of view after he is abandoned and features Victor Frankenstein working for the government to create super soldiers. In a twist, a character named Henri Dupre is reanimated as the monster’s head.
The show features 27 songs, all of which have been newly translated into English by Rebekah Pritchard. The production consists of an all-female creative team, with Edge Hill lecturers Catherine Quirk directing and Rowena Gander handling choreography.
The project is part of an international summer school that has brought a number of students from Dankook University to Edge Hill, with 10 of those students joining the cast of 10 Edge Hill students. The production team has also been committed to sustainability, creating a set from recycled pallets and reusing costumes from past shows.
The performance is a new milestone in a five-year partnership between the two universities. Kate Arnold, Head of International Administration, noted, “We’ve had a strong partnership with Dankook University for five years, with students from both institutions participating in summer programmes and exchanges. This performance of the Korean version of Frankenstein is a fantastic new chapter.
“It’s a unique opportunity that not only broadens our partnership but also gives our students an incredible chance to collaborate with their Korean peers, boosting their cultural awareness and employability skills in a competitive field like musical theatre.”
The performance will be filmed and shared with Dankook University, celebrating this groundbreaking collaboration.
Free previews of Frankenstein will take place on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August, 7:30 pm
Tickets for the full show are available for purchase for Saturday 9 August, 7:30pm.
August 7, 2025
