Benedict Cumberbatch in After The Dance
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Cumberbatch Back at NT in Boyle's Frankenstein

Danny Boyle's production of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein will see Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch return to the National following his critically-acclaimed appearance in After The Dance this summer. It was today (29 October 2010) announced he will alternate the roles of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature with Jonny Lee Miller.

Boyle's production will see Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic story told from the monster’s perspective, with Nick Dear’s adaptation starting performances in the NT Olivier in early February. The date of the opening night has not yet been confirmed, however as previously reported, the show will be broadcast by the National's theatre-to-cinema streaming project NT Live on 17 March 2011.

Boyle, whose film directing credits include 28 Days Later and Trainspotting won an Oscar for his 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. He returns to theatre after a considerable break having directed Howard Brenton's Genius and Edward Bond's Saved for the Royal Court in the early 1980's, he also directed five productions for the RSC. His most recent film, 127 Hours will close this year's London Film Festival.

Cumberbatch, who played the title role in the BBC's Sherlock this symmer, drew critical acclaim for his recent performance in Thea Sharrock’s After The Dance at the National. He has been longlisted for an Evening Standard Award for his performance in the play, which ran from June to August this year.

Jonny Lee Miller appeared in Boyle's 1996 film ­Trainspotting as Sick Boy. His stage credits include the original production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing and Morecambe and Wise musical farce The Play What I Wrote.

Boyle's Frankenstein will play the NT Olivier alongside Peter Hall's 80th birthday production of Twelfth Night starring Simon Callow and Rebecca Hall which will open at the NT Cottesloe in January 2011.

- by Andrew Girvan

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