View the Frankenstein Programme here.

Creating a Monster – Exploring Frankenstein’s Issues
This short, accessible workshop uses simple devising skills and discussion to interrogate ethical issues highlighted in ITD’s adaptation of Frankenstein. Participants create and share short scenes based on a range of fictional scenarios, each inspired by moral questions explored in Shelley’s novel. Learners will then apply the ideas they have explored to imagining a conversation between Frankenstein’s creature and his real creator, Mary Shelley. An imaginative, practical session that demonstrates how and why ITD have adapted a 19th-century novel to reflect 21st-century concerns.

In person only.
Suitable for: 14+
Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Staging the Cinematic
A fun, practical workshop where participants learn more about ITD’s fascination with blending the languages of theatre and film. Taking a classic movie scene as a starting point, groups will create a short improvisation before we begin layering in ITD’s methodologies and offering provocations. The session introduces some of ITD’s foundational techniques and explores what makes the storytelling mediums of theatre and cinema unique, and what can be gained by combining them.

In person only.
Suitable for: 14+
Duration: 1.5 hours – Half day (3 hours)

Frankenstein Remixed
This longer-form workshop further explores ITD’s cutting-edge blend of creative technology and performance. Participants recreate, shot for shot in real time, sections of a movie version of Frankenstein using mobile phones and a laptop. The session introduces accessible live streaming software and provides a deeper insight into imitating the dog’s creative process – incorporating live performance, camera operation/lighting, and aspects of design for camera.
[NB: Access to a wide-screen TV or projector and screen is required for this workshop. All other equipment and software is provided].

In person only.
Suitable for: 14+
Duration: Half Day (3 hours) – Full Day

If you would like to enquire about booking an education workshop with imitating the dog, email ben@imitatingthedog.co.uk.

Adapting Frankenstein
This talk traces the cinematic history of Frankenstein and our, the audience’s, connection to this classic work of Gothic horror. Over 25 years of transmedial performance making, ITD’s obsession with the relationship between film and theatre has only deepened. From James Whale’s iconic Frankenstein (1931), to Kenneth Branagh’s more faithful 1994 version, to more esoteric and tangential interpretations such as Victor Eric’s The Spirit of the Beehive (1973), the talk explores imagery, cinematic aesthetics, and finally touches on how these films are informing ITD’s approach to our stage production.

Available in person or remotely.
Duration: 30 – 45 minutes.

Why Frankenstein?
This talk seeks to answer the question: why tell this particular story, at this particular time? This will be the fifth novel that ITD have adapted for the stage – sometimes completely reimagined, sometimes faithfully retold. But every time the creative team chooses to adapt a text they must ask themselves: Why this story? And why now?

Available in person or remotely.
Duration: 30 – 45 minutes.

25 Years of Making
As imitating the dog celebrates its 25th birthday, this talk looks back at the history of ITD: From the early years of devising work as a young company straight out of university, through to establishing a creative relationship with director Pete Brooks in 2005, and the paths the work has taken since in its exploration of the relationship between theatre and technology.

Available in person or remotely.
Duration: 30 – 45 minutes.

If you would like to enquire about booking a talk with imitating the dog, email ben@imitatingthedog.co.uk.

Click here to access the free Digital Learning Toolkit for our production of Frankenstein, where you’ll find a variety of resources, inspired by and connected to our exploration of Mary Shelley’s novel. It’s a collection that we hope you’ll find intriguing, engaging and a catalyst for further discussion and discovery. The materials collected here are aimed at uncovering more details about the show and how we made it, all the while encouraging you to think more deeply about the themes of the play and the ideas we investigate in our work.

If you have any questions about any of the resources, email ben@imitatingthedog.co.uk.