(4 / 5)
If you were at Fringe this year, you would have been hard pressed to miss the gigantic green monster around the city. Frank has come alive, once again, but this time, in the most unusual way.
This is a clowning show like no other. Slightly in mime, with a Mr Bean-esque approach of only sound and supported with spine-crawling bass, we are introduced to Frankenstein (Frank) from him coming alive to living … well, life.
He interacts with us, making comfortable eye contact, moving with stocky movements of his new limbs and being somewhat imposing. For such a tall man, and one as a “monster” he would be perfect to keep in keeping with the horror genre of this well known monster. But this is where it changes – Frank becomes adorable and friendly, despite shouting or groaning instead of words, and his story trajectory turns into his friendship of a green balloon – something that needs to be handled gently and with care.
By not using words, somehow, he still manages to easily communicate with us. We join in the fun with the balloon and understand the nuances of what he is trying to portray to us. Some audiences are reluctant and this could be misinterpreted as misunderstanding but it isn’t – it’s just a lack of wanting to be involved, because, Frank’s intentions are so clear.
What is wonderful is that this approach to Frank is completely different to the stories we know. This is a more emotional Frank, more adorable, friendly and approachable. This all comes in, somehow, how he interacts with the balloon, with kindness and intrigue and we fall in love with him. The kind of big-teddy bear man instead of something scary and dangerous.
His physicality is so extremley funny. He manages to make us laugh, taking his time and ensuring to take up space with his physical comedy. There’s no urgency, and if you have done any work in physical theatre, you know actually how much control and skill is put in to do these slow and precise movements. Accompanied by some shouting and groaning, it’s absolute absurdity and a fantastic piece of clowning.
TO BE FRANK is an absurd, unhinged and utterly heartwarming piece of clowning and physical theatre. You will go into the unexpected and come away falling in love with this giant teddy bear.
