Lacey ( Being Human ) Turner to star in BBC Three’s huge live musical extravaganza based on Mary Shelley’s classic novel – and you can take part
For one night only, on Saturday 19 March, Leeds will play host to a spectacular live TV event – the marriage of scientist Victor Frankenstein and his bride-to-be, Elizabeth. Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds – a collaboration between BBC Wales, BBC North and local organisations in Leeds – is a spectacular live event to be broadcast live BBC Three that explores classic horror story through contemporary performance and cutting-edge musical content.
Set against the gothic magnificence of Kirkstall Abbey in the city, this unique performance will bring the passion, emotion and horror from the classic tale to a live audience, with spectacular light projections and audience participation throughout.
The event will focus on the lavish wedding of Victor Frankenstein and his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Lavenza. While Elizabeth fusses over seating plans, Victor broods on a dark secret – the murderous monster he has created. In a unique twist on audience participation, an audience of thousands will be invited to attend the event in their best wedding outfits and play a real role as wedding guests. Nine thousand free tickets will be made available to the public to come and watch the live event and ticket application will open on Friday 18 February at bbc.co.uk/bbcthree .
It will stay true to the ethical and scientific themes but will burst open the classic text, fusing live drama with contemporary dance to bring a unique viewing experience for both the TV viewers and the audience in the Abbey itself
Phoenix Dance Theatre, a dance company based in Leeds, will also be involved with the project. They will lead on the choreography and dancers from the company will also perform as part of the final event.
In the weeks leading up to the event, BBC Learning and Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre are set to help people find their dancing feet through a series of workshops to teach 2,000 locals a special wedding dance routine. This will culminate in a mass celebratory wedding dance live on the night by an audience of 12,000. For full dates and to book a workshop place, visit the Phoenix Dance Theatre website.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive, Welcome to Yorkshire, says: "We have worked hard to bring this exciting project into Yorkshire. It will be a spectacular production in a special location which will showcase Kirkstall Abbey's imposing splendour to millions around the country and introduce more people to the wealth of historic buildings which Yorkshire has to offer."
Deborah Green, Chief Executive, Marketing Leeds, comments: "We are proud to be working with the BBC. The retelling of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a first for both Leeds and the BBC and the project can only serve to further enhance the city's current offering of culture, arts, music and dance."
Following on from the successes of Manchester Passion (2006) and Liverpool Nativity (2008) which were both broadcast on BBC Three, Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds plays into the audience's desire to feel at the centre of the action.
