Theatres must engage with discussions around AI, Leeds Playhouse bosses say

A new revival of Frankenstein will examine Mary Shelley’s novel in a whole new way – by connecting with the technological breakthroughs that are shaping our world today.

Billed as interrogating AI, creation and the role of humanity in shaping technology, the adaptation by Jeff James was revealed as part of the new season from Leeds Playhouse, the first from artistic director Tom Wright.

Speaking at the launch, James said: “[Frankenstein] is the most powerful story ever written about the fear of what the future will bring. The irony is that it’s a novel from 200 years ago, and in some ways, the technology that Mary Shelley was writing about was quite quaint. We’re not really afraid of electricity anymore. But even 200 years later, we still don’t have technology to bring the dead back to life.”

Technologies that do exist include those to create generative content – and many thoughtleaders have discussed this development’s impact on the arts.

Speaking at the launch celebration, Wright said: “It is a really bold contemporary take that I think will speak to all of those questions right now about where technology is going, and also who’s behind the technologies, and who the people are making the decisions that are going to impact our lives.”

James adds: “The show becomes a history of the future, and uses Shelley’s amazing story to interrogate the technologies that are keeping all of us awake at night today.”

Wright and chief executive Shawab Iqbal recognise that they, as theatre makers and enablers, are trying to navigate how new technologies and AI, in particular, are going to change the landscape.

“There’s something really powerful and innovative around programming this version of Frankenstein and engaging in that type of debate… I see that as a positive thing,” Iqbal says.

Wright adds: “We’re all figuring it out live, aren’t we? So we need to keep up with the conversation.”

However, the duo acknowledge that nothing can or will replace the human nature of theatre. “We need artists in this industry. Without them, we’ll close our doors. We need people and we need their ideas. That’s never going to change, and there is a responsibility for us to fight for that and fight to protect that in new technology.”

“…At the same time, I think our position is that we’re also intrigued by what this is gonna bring, and if we can navigate it safely and correctly and ethically, then we’re going to embrace that as a theatre and see what it can bring.”

Whatever they opt to do will be underpinned by their values, which were spoken about at length during the launch – which they stated were the commitment to being a theatre of sanctuary for people, to nurturing new and local voices and to representing the vibrancy of the communities that visit. You can learn more about this from our extensive interview coming in the next few days.

Frankenstein, a co-production with Rose Theatre Kingston, will play in the Quarry from 12 to 29 May 2027.