Frankenstein is a stage adaptation by Nick Dear of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Its world premiere was at the Royal National Theatre on 5 February 2011, where it officially opened on 22 February. This production was directed by Danny Boyle with a cast including Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, with the two lead actors alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. Frankenstein ended its run on 2 May 2011. Live filming On 17 March and 24 March 2011, the production was broadcast to cinemas around the world as a part of the National Theatre Live programme. The National Theatre's production of Frankenstein returned to cinema screens worldwide for a limited season in June, July and December 2012, as well as for encore screenings in October and November 2013. A third encore screening was announced, beginning 25 October 2014. It was seen for around 800,000 people on cinemas. Another encore screening was made across the United States on 22 and 29 October 2018 in honour of the novel's 200th anniversary, so viewers could see both actors play both roles. The films were made available as part of the National Theatre's NT at Home series for a week from 30 April 2020, with Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature available starting from 30 April, and Jonny Lee Miller as the creature starting from 1 May. Plot Victor Frankenstein creates a Frankenstein's from human corpses. Once the Creature is brought to life, however, Victor is appalled by his creation's deformed appearance and flees in terror. The Creature wanders through the streets of Ingolstadt, lost and confused. Meanwhile, Gretel, a prostitute, is being assaulted in an alleyway and calls for help. The Creature frightens off her attacker, but Gretel recoils from her saviour, and a mob of villagers chase the Creature away. The next morning, the Creature sees the dawn for the first time and finds Victor's journal. He is then attacked by two beggars when he tries to take their food. The Creature hides in an old cottage which is inhabited by a married couple, Felix and Agatha, and Felix's elderly, blind father, De Lacey. The Creature comes to care for them and brings them food in secret. De Lacey finds and befriends the Creature and, over the course of a year, teaches him to speak, read and write. The Creature reads Victor's journal and learns