ADVERTISING
Classical material meets modern questions in the Ernst Ludwig Hall
He lives!
Born from inanimate matter – created from longing, despair, and genius: With Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the Frankenstein-Bühne e. V. (Frankenstein Stage Association) brings one of the most important classics of world literature to the stage in a new adaptation. The premiere will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026 , in the Ernst-Ludwig-Saal in Darmstadt-Eberstadt . A total of nine performances are planned until March 1, 2026
From the act of creation to a nightmare
What begins as a triumphant act develops into a drama of loneliness, guilt, and revenge. The young scientist Victor Frankenstein defies the laws of nature and creates an artificial being. But instead of admiration, his creation encounters rejection and fear. Rejected, feared, and hunted, the creature yearns for love and humanity—and finds hatred.
Frankenstein's retreat from responsibility sets a destructive process in motion. Out of pain and despair arises a campaign of revenge, the origin of which lies not in evil, but in abandonment .
The monster as a mirror of our society
The production portrays the monster not as a mere beast, but as a tragic figure . His actions are interpreted as cries for help – as expressions of a life denied him. In doing so, the play addresses questions that Mary Shelley's novel has posed for over 200 years and that are more relevant today than ever.
- How far can humans go?
- What makes us human?
- Who is the real monster?
The famous essence of literature thus becomes a mirror of modern developments. It stands symbolically for achievements such as artificial intelligence, nuclear power, or genetic engineering – creations with enormous potential that can become dangerous if responsibility, ethical reflection, and human connection are lacking.
New stage adaptation with philosophical depth
The new stage adaptation by Christian Schidlowsky , directed by Yvonne Raftopoulo , combines horror, emotion and philosophical questions into a theatrical evening that is equally captivating, frightening and moving .
(Eberstadt - Red/PM)
Featured image: Yvonne Raftopoulo (Director), Dominik Schneider (Chairman), Jürgen Pietsch (Victor Frankenstein). Photo: Alberto Dix
AT A GLANCE
Play: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Author: Christian Schidlowsky
Theatre: Frankenstein-Bühne e. V.
Director: Yvonne Raftopoulo
Premiere: Friday, February 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Ernst-Ludwig-Saal, Darmstadt-Eberstadt
Further dates:
14.02. | 19.02. | 20.02. | 21.02. | 22.02. | 27.02. | 28.02. | 01.03.
Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 6:30 pm,
Thursday 10:30 am (school classes are very welcome)
Tickets on sale from: 06.12.2025
Tickets:
– online via the Frankenstein-Bühne e. V. website
– Gieselberg stationery shop, Heidelberger Landstr. 202, 64297 Darmstadt-Eberstadt
– Tel. 0155 65638382
Genre: Drama / Classic / Contemporary Relevance
Themes: Responsibility, Science, AI, Genetic Engineering, Humanity
