ORLANDO — Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein was first published in 1818, but in the minds of plenty of literary scholars, the book marked the official birth certificate of what’s become known as “modern horror.”

Shelley’s tale of the scientist who hopes to reanimate dead flesh moved far away from the dark corners of medieval castles. This book was grounded in science, but also in the potentially disastrous consequences of tampering with nature. In her “monster,” Shelley created a figure that remains a cultural icon within the horror genre, still worshipped in movies, comic books, and even breakfast cereals.

Phantasmagoria is well away of that.

Phantasmagoria, the troop of performers who recreate stories from classic horror literature every Halloween season, will mark its 17th year with their new production Phantasmagoria XVII: Frankenstein, The Birth of Horror – June 16^th, 1816, which celebrates not just the Shelley novel, but the events that inspired her to write the book.

“Phantasmagoria’s signature blend of evocative storytelling, phantastical dance, large scale puppetry, projections, original music and more will bring to life on stage the haunted and horrific tales that mark the most legendary moments in literature – ones that would change the face of horror forever,” Phantasmagoria notes in a news release on the show.

So let the terror begin.

What is Phantasmagoria XVII: Frankenstein?

With a solid track record of bringing some of literature’s scariest stories to the stage, the Victorian horror troupe Phantasmagoria will celebrate its 17th year of their Central Florida Halloween tradition as they “light the candles at the Villa Diodati, to celebrate Mary Shelley’s legendary and iconic tale as well as ‘The Vampyre’ by John Polidori, along with other stories that horrified the nights during that summer when the challenge ‘We Shall Each Write A Ghost Story’ was presented to all in attendance,” Phanastagmoria. Indeed, Shelley’s classic novel has its roots in that challenge.

“In the summer of 1816, Mary Godwin (soon to be Shelley), Percy Shelley, Claire Clairmont, John Polidori and Lord George Gordon Byron spent their evenings reading ghost stories from the book ‘Fantasmagoriana,’ ” notes John DiDonna, the creator of the Phantasmagoria shows, “when Byron issued the Ghost Story summons.  Phantasmagoria is honored — and terrified — to present two tales from that original book, ‘The Death’s Head’ and ‘The Black Chamber,’ along with Byron’s apocalyptic epic poem ‘Darkness’ written later that summer, and of course Polidori’s ‘The Vampyre,’ which set the tone for elegant, stately vampires, all culminating in Mary Shelley’s classic of horror literature Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus.”

Phantasmagoria is planning an elaborate production. Josh Solomon has composed an original score for the production, Mila Makarova has choreographed scenes while Bill Warriner has provided direction for combat scenes on stage. As DiDonna notes, this production is “sure to be a darkly enchanting journey for all.”

Intrigued, Freeline Media asked John DiDonna to give us more details about Frankenstein’s upcoming show.

What Can You Expect from Phantasmagoria’s Frankenstein?

Freeline Media: Your new production sounds like Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein will be the central theme, while there will be additional stories told. Is this a different approach from your past productions?

John DiDonna: It is most definitely different in many ways – instead of our usual collection of similarly themes stories, we are literally going back in time and space to June 16^th, 1816 to the Villa Diodati in Switzerland, just off Lake Geneva.  Our troupe members become Mary and Percy, Claire, Byron and Polidori who are entertaining some guests in the practice of telling “Ghost Stories”.  And out of this night, come tales they never thought they would imagine.  So we have returned to the way we used to approach it, with scenes connecting all the stories with a narrative – we have not really done that since year 10 or so. And of course, looming large over the entire evening will be the arrival of the legendary tale that has entranced readers and viewers for over two centuries – “Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus”.  In addition, we are only doing 5 stories rather than the customary 7 – but that is so we can give more time and focus to “Vampyre” and “Frankenstein”.

FM: Frankenstein is arguably the “Birth of Horror.” How does your production lean into the specific history of the novel versus the pop-culture image we have of the monster today?  

JD: The entire night is styled around the actual history of that summer, and the strange circumstances that all came together for those evenings of haunted tales to come to pass.  Including the fact it occurs during the historical “Year Without a Summer” which is a vital part in the creation of these stories.  There is a rich history embedded in all the scenes, including the interpersonal dynamics between all involved which were – let us say “complex” at best. As to the performance of “Frankenstein” itself, when we approach a story, we tend to go directly from the text. I have yet to see the movie that came out last year because I do not want it to influence us in any way, and I have avoided discussing it or other notions of Frankenstein at all costs!  But suffice it to say, our story is adapted directly from Mary Shelley, with no movie or modernist embellishments. This is actually the third time we have told it in some fashion, but this is a brand new adaptation created especially for Phantasmagoria XVII.

FM: Will the other stories in this production fit in with a theme — something that Frankenstein sparked in its day, or sparks the imaginations of young readers just discovering it? 

JD: Everything in this show, including the stories, centers around that Summer of 1816, pivoting around June 16^th when it is chronicled that Byron issued the challenge “We shall each right a ghost story”. Those evenings spent at Diodati were occupied oftentimes by reading passages from a book of Ghost Stories named “Fantasmagoriana” – one of the reasons our name is Phantasmagoria. Two of our stories in Phantasmagoria XVII are from that very book – “The Death’s Head” and “The Black Chamber”, in addition we explore Byron’s “Darkness” – an apocalyptic poem written towards the middle of that summer, “The Vampyre” written by John Polidori again connected to that Haunted Summer, and of course we culminate with “Frankenstein” as Mary’s tale is finally heard.

FM: Phantasmagoria is known for its unique blend of dance, puppetry, and storytelling. How are you incorporating these elements to bring the creature and Dr. Frankenstein to life on stage? 

JD: All of course they will all be in there! It would not be a Phantasmagoria Mainstage show without all of those things. We have some wonderful new musical compositions from our composer Josh Solomon, they touch on the feel of our usual Phantasmagoria music, mixed with a little sprinkling of Universal Horror Movies and Hammer Horror films –  both huge influences on us. There are three principal dances in the show choreographed by the amazing Mila Makarova, as well as a sort of “reprise” at the very end, along with our stunning projections designed by Dana Mott (she always astounds me), sound by our long time Production Stage Manager Meghan Pelfrey (who also designs our QLabs and lights), Stage Combat from a man we have worked with for decades, even beyond Phantasmagoria Bill Warriner, and of course the puppet for the creature created by Nic Parks Puppetry.

FM: Are there other new surprises in store this year when it comes to the cast, production design, music, puppetry, etc. 

JD: Well as I mentioned above, one of my favorite elements this year is the new puppet. It is a one person puppet, almost a costume/puppet so to speak, and it is of course Victor Frankenstein’s creation.  Nic is wonderful in his dedication to his puppets, all the details, and we love working with him. He also created the ones last year for “Hauntingly Whimsical Tales” and we were introduced to each other’s work when he created those DYNAMIC puppets for Opera Orlando’s “Juniper Tree” which I had directed for them, along with many of our performers in the show. And now, a few years later, that collaboration continues. This year is also our first year up in Daytona! Excited to explore the News Journal Center on our tour. They have been great to work with, and of course we are returning to the Bay Street Players up in Eustis, The Ocala Civic Theatre (which has been a dream – what an incredible space to work in), the venue we like to call “our home” at the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and of course the wonderfully historic Athens Theatre.  Amazing venues all and amazing people to work with! Something different this year occurs at the very start as we do legitimate “Previews” in Clermont, with talk backs and Q & A.  So lots of new. I think we do that to keep ourselves on our toes! We are all just excited to share with the audience what would be considered the beginning of modern horror (and science fiction I might add because Mary’s tale has elements of both.)  To go back to that time, that night, and those people is a very special endeavor for us.  

As we like to say; “See you there. . . IF you dare!”

Where Can I See Phantasmagoria XVII: Frankenstein?

Phantasmagoria XVII: Frankenstein will be performed in 6 Central Florida cities on the following dates:

• Oct. 1-2 in Clermont for two preview shows
• Saturday, Oct. 3 at The Bay Street Players in Eustis
• Sunday, Oct. 11 at Ocala Civic Theatre in downtown Ocala
• Oct. 16-18 at Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando
• Oct. 24 at The Athens Theatre in Deland
• Oct. 30 at the News Journal Center at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach

To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit Phantasmagoria online at www.PhantasmagoriaOrlando.com. You can also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhantasmagoriaOrlando or find them on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok: @PhantasOrlando.

What is Phantasmagoria?

Two words: Victorian Horror.

For every Halloween season since 2009, the Phantasmagoria troupe has been entertaining local audiences through acrobatics, music, dance, giant puppets, and, most importantly, by recreating classic tales of terror from the vaults of legendary horror writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley and many others. Each year, there are new stories — not to mention new adventures for the circus-like performers themselves, and also sometimes new actors as well.

If you’ve lived in Central Florida over the past decade, that word Phantasmagoria needs no introduction. The troupe has been performing around Halloween, at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, and more recently, around Christmas with their unique version of A Christmas Carol.

Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.

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