STITCHING TOGETHER BEAUTY AND HORROR:
SF BALLET’S ELECTRIFYING FRANKENSTEIN
San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein, a co-production with The Royal Ballet of London, had its world premiere in London in 2016 and its American premiere with SF Ballet the following year. Now returning for an engagement through March 26 (with an encore April 26 to May 4), the production, choreographed by Liam Scarlett, transforms Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s gothic novel into a hauntingly elegant spectacle, featuring atmospheric designs by John Macfarlane, and set to a chilling score by Lowell Liebermann performed live by the SF Ballet Orchestra conducted by Martin West.
Joseph Walsh and Wei Wang
The ballet closely follows Shelley’s 1818 novel, adhering more faithfully to the original story than any film adaptation, including the iconic 1931 version starring Boris Karloff. Set in Geneva and Bavaria in the late 18th century, the narrative unfolds as Victor, obsessed with the idea of creating life, succeeds in reanimating dead tissue through the power of lightning and electrical currents. Terrified by his creation, he abandons the Creature, who, in turn, seeks love and acceptance from his maker. This leads to the Creature to take revenge on Victor’s family by killing his young brother William and framing a beloved servant for the murder. The Creature then gives Victor an ultimatum: Victor must create a mate for him or he will exact a toll on the night of Victor’s wedding to Elizabeth. In the final act tragic consequences include multiple murders, a suicide and, at last, a cleansing fire.
Aaron Robison in Scarlett's Frankenstein
Joseph Walsh delivers a deeply expressive performance as Victor Frankenstein, capturing both his obsessive genius and spiraling despair. As the Creature, Wei Wang—performing the role for the third time—moves with a mesmerizing combination of raw power and aching vulnerability, making his journey from reanimated innocence to tragic rage profoundly affecting. Frances Chung, as Elizabeth, brings warmth and grace as Victor’s fiancée, her fluid movement illuminating the love that Victor so recklessly endangers. Ricardo Bustamante as Alphonse, Victor’s caring father, and Luca Ferrò as his friend Henry Clerval, round out the strong supporting cast.
San Francisco Ballet in Scarlett's Frankenstein
Scarlett’s choreography is both grand and intimate, balancing feverish pas de deux with striking ensemble sequences. Macfarlane’s original Royal Ballet sets, particularly Victor’s looming laboratory, provide an excellent backdrop for the action, while David Finn’s lighting design masterfully heightens the eerie atmosphere—electrical currents and lightning bolts sending chills through the audience as the Creature comes to life.
Frances Chung and Joseph Walsh
Frances Chung and Wei Wang
Liebermann’s sweeping orchestration—an army of violins, violas, cellos, and horns—underscores the raw emotion and horror of the tale. SF Ballet always excels in performance, but Frankenstein—staged by Lauren Strongin and Joseph Walsh—takes it to the next level, stitching together terror and tenderness with exquisite precision. A chillingly beautiful triumph.
Wei Wang and Joseph Walsh
photos © San Francisco Ballet by Lindsey Rallo and Lindsay Thomas
Sasha De Sola and Joshua Jack Price
Frankenstein
San Francisco Ballet
War Memorial Opera House
2 hours, 47 minutes with 2 intermissions
reviewed March 20; ends on March 26, 2025
for tickets, call 415.865.2000 or visit SF Ballet
for performers on your date, see Casting
Frankenstein Encore:
April 26-May 4, 2025 at War Memorial Opera House
October 2–5, 2025 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa
