

Orpheus Studio Productions presents a staged adaptation of Richard Campbell’s progressive rock concept album Frankenstein, a thrilling musical portrayal of the original sci-fi horror.
Filmed Hallowe'en 2014.
Trailer
About
Frankenstein: The Metal Opera began life as a rock/metal concept album, recorded by Richard Campbell of Orpheus Studio, London, and released in December 2012. Co-lyricist Carol Pestridge had always been a huge fan of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, and it was clear that the story would be a perfect match for Richard’s musical style.
A few months after the album was released Washington DC’s Landless Theatre Company contacted Richard to ask permission to be the first to put the album on stage. Richard and Carol were delighted with the idea, and flew over to watch the production in June 2013. Spurred on by the excitement of seeing their work on stage, they immediately set about adapting the album into a theatre script.
That Hallowe’en (2013) they teamed up with Alan Mandel, who directed a workshop version of the show at the Rose & Crown pub in South Ealing, London. The two performances provided an opportunity to test a selection of staging ideas in front of an audience of 200+, and were a real success.
This gave them team the knowledge and experience to put together a complete theatrical version, so the following spring they teamed up with the Lansbury Players, who suggested staging the show at The Space in East London. A week of shows were soon scheduled for that Hallowe’en (2014).
Richard, Carol and Alan (now Orpheus Studio Productions) launched a Kickstarter Campaign in the summer to raise extra funds to help realise their vision of Frankenstein: The Metal Opera on stage. The campaign was a huge success, with 111 backers raising a total of £3,053.
Thanks to the generosity of Kickstarter backers, private investors, and many friends who donated a huge amount of time and expertise, Orpheus Studio’s first ever theatre production was both critically acclaimed and a sell out.
Cast & Crew
BAND
Drums - Richard Campbell
Guitar - Rhys Llewellyn
Bass - Michael Pettit
FULL CREW
Director - Alan Mandel
Musical Director - Richard Campbell
Design - Orpheus Studio Productions
Lighting Designer - Sarah Sage
Production Electrician - Louise Sage
Lighting Assistant - Keith Ramsey
Costume Designer - Sarah Dutton
Special Effects Make-up Designer - Ali Reith
Special Effects Make-up Artist - Fabiola Bastianelli
Set - Paul Campbell
Props - Barbara Campbell
Sound Operator - Alexander Broad
Soundscape Designer - Yvonne Gilbert
Fight Director - Tom Jordan
Movement Director - Sandra Maturana
Production Management - IOGIG Ltd, Olivia Dermot Walsh & Ian Taylor
Stage Manager - Carol Pestridge
Assistant Stage Manager - Ellie Richards
SPECIAL THANKS
Lynn & Keith Ramsey, Azerbaijan House, Sophie Hopkins, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, John Lynch, Ian Martin, Ashley Anzie, Carl Beu, GeorgeFairbairn, Westbury Carpets, The Landless Theatre Company and all of our Kickstarter backers