Tuesday 10 September 2024

Church Fathers and Teachers From Leo The Great to Peter Lombard - Pope Benedict XVI

Church Fathers and Teachers: 
From Leo The Great to Peter Lombard
Pope Benedict XVI
ISBN 9781621646518
eISBN 9781681491004
ASIN B003KVLFV4

Church Fathers and Teachers From Saint Leo the Great to Peter Lombard - Pope Benedict XVI

This marks the 29th volume by Pope Benedict I have read over the last few years. In that time I have read a number of books by and about Pope Benedict XVI. Of the popes in my lifetime, I find his writings of immense spiritual benefit. I would state that I underappreciated him until his resignation. And since then, I have read much. And with each piece I read I appreciate his wisdom, faith, and stand against modernism to an even greater extent. This is an excellent read, even though it overlaps with other volumes I have read.

The description of the edition of the book is:

“After meditating on the Apostles and then on the Fathers of the early Church, as seen in his earlier works Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church and Church Fathers, Pope Benedict XVI devoted his attention to the most influential Christian men from the fifth through the twelfth centuries. In his first book, Church Fathers, Benedict began with Clement of Rome and ended with Saint Augustine. In this volume, the Holy Father reflects on some of the greatest theologians of the Middle Ages: Benedict, Anselm, Bernard, and Gregory the Great, to name just a few. By exploring both the lives and the ideas of the great popes, abbots, scholars and missionaries who lived during the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christendom, Pope Benedict XVI highlights the key elements of Catholic dogma and practice that remain the foundation stones not only of the Roman Catholic Church but of Christian society itself. This book is a wonderful way to get to know these later Church Fathers and Teachers and the tremendous spiritually rich patrimony they have bequeathed to us.”

The chapters in this edition are:

 1. Saint Leo the Great
 2. Boethius and Cassiodorus
 3. Saint Benedict of Norcia
 4. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
 5. Saint Romanus the Melodist
 6. Saint Gregory the Great (1)
 7. Saint Gregory the Great (2)
 8. Saint Columban
 9. Saint Isidore of Seville
10. Saint Maximus the Confessor
11. John Climacus
12. Saint Bede, the Venerable
13. Saint Boniface, the Apostle of the Germans
14. Ambrose Autpert
15. Germanus of Constantinople
16. John Damascene
17. Saint Theodore the Studite
18. Rabanus Maurus
19. John Scotus Erigena
20. Saints Cyril and Methodius
21. Saint Odo of Cluny
22. Saint Peter Damian
23. Symeon the New Theologian
24. Saint Anselm
25. Peter the Venerable
26. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
27. Monastic Theology and Scholastic Theology
28. Two Theological Models in Comparison: Bernard and Abelard
29. The Cluniac Reform
30. The Cathedral from the Romanesque to the Gothic Architecture: The Theological Background
31. Hugh and Richard of Saint-Victor
32. William of Saint-Thierry
33. Rupert of Deutz
34. John of Salisbury
35. Peter Lombard

The volumes that overlap with this one are:

Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium - The Spiritual Masters (Chapters 10-20)
The Medieval Fathers and Writers - The Spiritual Masters (Chapters 21-35)

Those two volumes are preceded by:

Which are preceded by: 

Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church and Church Fathers 

And they are followed by:

Holy Men and Women from The Middle Ages and Beyond

Which I only discovered while reading the description of this volume, while working on this review but have now added to my wish list. But back to this volume. It should also be noted there is no introduction of conclusion to the volume. 

I have read much about the church fathers and by the church fathers over the years. Both in school and personal reading, much of it by Mike Aquilina. This is an absolutely fantastic volume. You can read it from beginning to end, or jump around and pick and choose the Fathers in a random order. 

This is a wonderful volume to read and having read a chunk of it in a different edition it was a refresher on the church fathers and teachers. This volume at the start of each chapter had the name, date of the audience and location, for example:

35
Peter Lombard
WEDNESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 2009
Paul VI Audience Hall

It is a great resource that any Catholic would benefit from reading, it would be great for any Christian. An excellent volume. 


Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! 


Books by Benedict XVI:
Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church and Church Fathers 
...        

Church Fathers and Teachers From Saint Leo the Great to Peter Lombard - Pope Benedict XVI

Church Fathers From Clement of Rome to Augustine - Pope Benedict XVI

Holy Men and Women from The Middle Ages and Beyond - Benedict XVI


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Monday 9 September 2024

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

Tricketer Noir
Pixie for Hire Book 2
Book 2 of Underhill
Stonycroft Publishing
ISBN 9780615920436
ASIN B00GZ9SKSE

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

This is the twentieth volume by Sanderson that I have read. I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read more from her pen. I had picked up, book 1, Pixie Noir, a while ago but had not got around to reading it, recently when Sanderson rebranded these books with new covers, I finally read book 1, a while ago, but had not got around to reading it. It was my loss for not reading these books sooner. When Sanderson rebranded the series with new covers in 2024, I was far more intrigued and started reading book 1 right away. I loved the new cover so much, I even returned my original eBook and bought it again to have the new cover, and I picked up the trilogy with the new covers, before even reading this one. It was well worth the read, and my loss that I had not read it when I first picked it up.  

The description of this volume states:

“After the battle of Tower Baelfire ended, Lom lay dying. Bella was tasked with not only the job she never wanted, but the one she did. Could she keep Lom alive long enough for him to come to the rescue when their kingdom needed them? 

And what did Raven, mysterious trickster spirit and honorary uncle to Bella, want with them? If the threat was big enough to have the trickster worried, Bella knew she needed to have Lom at her side. Underhill might look like a soap-bubble kingdom, but Bella and Lom knew there was a gritty underside. Why else would fairyland need a dark man like Lom willing to carry a big gun and be the Pixie for Hire?”

This was another incredible read from Sanderson’s masterful pen. It is an wonderful story of triumph after a tragedy and almost all is believed to be lost. Lom has even more to be  worked through and overcome in this second volume in the series. I have clear ideas where the story goes from here and I look forward to finding out if I am correct! 

The characters are incredibly well written. Lom and Bella, again, just wow. Watching them find their place in this new adventure, engaged, Bella the consort to the king. Lom without any magic. It is written in such a way that you become completely enthralled in the story. You will find it near impossible to put the book down. The pace is a mix of hurry up and wait, but once the action begins oh my what action!  This time they must battle trolls, a dragon, even a legend come to life. And let’s not forget Baba Yaga’s house. This story is an excellent second instalment in the trilogy and leaves you wanting more!

I have been greatly impressed with all of Sanderson’s writing that I have read to date, and have very much enjoyed her recently works published under the name of Lilania Begley. The quick way I would describe this volume and series is Epic fantasy meets Mike Hammer or Spenser novels! A hard working gal trying to get a job done, a job no one else could likely do, and what a beautiful dame she is. She is a dame with great power, strength of character and brilliant mind. And Lom side-lined from the last battle, feeble of body, and after an overheard conversation doubting of mind, but some time with Raven’s uncle might just do the trick.. It was so very hard to put down. Sanderson spin on folk tales, fairy tales, and native legends, woven into the noir mystery and she creates a masterfully written story. It is an epic adventure where myths and legends come to life both above and Underhill. I can easily recommend this novel and series they are great reads. 

Books by Cedar Sanderson:
Snow in Her Eyes
Warp Resonance
The Dwarf's Dryad
One-Eyed Dragon
Memories of the Abyss
Stargazer
Plant Life
Sugar Skull
Snow Angel
Inktail & Friends: A Coloring Book
The Twisted Breath of God
Voyageur's Cap
Fairy Little Sister
Milkweed
Mindflow
Crow Moon
Zombie Maggots
Poor Gregory
…

The Groundskeeper Series:

Pixie for Hire Series:
Dragon Noir
…
Pixie for Hire: Omnibus Edition

Children of Myth Series:
Vulcan's Kittens 
The God’s Wolfling
…

The Tanager Series:
Jade Star
Tanager's Fledglings 
…

Witchward Series:
Possum Creek Massacre
… 

Illustrated by Cedar:
Something Wicked #15
Jormungandr's Venom (Fenris Unchained Book 3)
Hunted Behavior
A Time To Die
Legion
…

Contributed to:
The Hearts' Enchantment
Calexit- The Anthology
Supernatural Streets
Something Wicked Anthology, Vol One
Something Wicked #15
Mythic Delirium Magazine Issue 0.4
The Haunted Library Anthology: Volume 1 
But Not Broken - Hope and Healing Book 2
Postcards From Mars - Postcard Stories Book 1
Space Cowboys - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 4
Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 5
Twisted Tropes
Steam-Powered Postcards - Postcard Stories Book 2
Space Marines - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 6
Fanta-Fly Postcards: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Postcards from Foolz: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Falcons of Malta
Space Marines 2 - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 9
Single Servings of Liberty - Postcard Stories Book 5
Tales From The Occupation: A Fae Wars Book 4
…

Books as Lilania Begley:
Slice of Pie
...

Sumire Series:

Bluehills Series:

Contributed to as Lilania Begley:
He Was Dead When I got There
...


Pixie Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 1

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

Dragon Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 3


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Saturday 7 September 2024

Prayer of the Day to Saint Scholastica

Saint Scholastica Prayer
Prayer of the Day  

St. Scholastica by Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs from The Catholic Home Art Gallery - John Herreid - 18 Works of Art by Contemporary Catholic Artists

Eternal God, by whose grace Scholastica became a burning and shining light for your people: give us courage to prefer nothing to Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit help us to share patiently in his sufferings, that we may be able to rejoice forever in his kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

John Herreid (Editor)
ISBN 9781621645498


I went in search of a prayer to Saint Scholastica after seeing her icon and reading her story in the above book. The icon was by Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs really captured my attention. I framed it and put it over my wife's desk with the Saint Benedict one so that they would be behind me on teams calls for work. I have been praying this prayer for about a year now. This is one of two prayer to Saint Scholastica I have been praying, the other being a Prayer in Honor of Saint Scholastica. 


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Friday 6 September 2024

Words for Feasts and Saints Days - Hugh Gilbert - CTS Books

Words for Feasts and Saints Days
Bishop Hugh Gilbert
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784690618
eISBN 9781784693725
ASIN B073H2NRTX
CTS Booklet D797

Words for Feasts and Saints Days - Hugh Gilbert - CTS Books

Over the last several years I have read over 400 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. A few authors so captured my attention I tried to track down all the books by them. This however was the Second book I have read by Bishop Hugh Gilbert and also the first in the CTS Words 4. Unfortunately, in the eBook edition there is not a list of other volumes in the series, and I have only been able to find four other titles in the series and three are by this same author. The print edition was published in 2015 and the eBook in 2017.

The description of this volume is:

“This collection of reflections for great feasts and saints days of the Church’s year is an ideal companion to deepen readers’ understanding of the great feasts of the Church.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert’s homilies have gained him a reputation as a clear and profound teacher of faith. This collection of homilies for great feasts and saints days of the Church’s year is an ideal companion for any reader wishing to deepen their faith by coming to a deeper understanding of the saints and the major events the lives of Jesus and Mary.

‘The liturgical year is one of the great givens of the Christian life. We live our lives within it’.”

And the chapters are:
Introduction
The Presentation of the Lord
The Holy Trinity
Corpus Christi
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Birthday of John the Baptist
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
St Benedict, Patron of Europe
The Transfiguration
The Assumption of Our Lady
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
St Michael and All the Angels
Guardian Angels
All Saints
All Souls
Christ the King

We are told in the introduction:

“The liturgical year - with its Sundays and weekdays, Easter and Christmas, Advent and Lent, Ordinary time, ferias and feasts - is one of the great givens of the Christian life. We live our lives within it. This is true even when we are not consciously referring to it. It’s a framework, a mould, a supporting rhythm, a background that at some peak times becomes the foreground. It has, too, been one of the great facts of European and Western cultural history. We’re familiar with the civil year (which comes to us from the Romans), the financial year, the academic year … But there is this other presence too, still hanging on even in semi-pagan Britain - and every revolutionary attempt to conjure it away (1789, 1917) has itself foundered.

In the Roman Rite now, we have a liturgical year both luminously intent on the essentials and rich in its details. “By means of the yearly cycle,” says the Calendarium Romanum of 1969, echoing Vatican II’s Sacrosanctum Concilium, “the Church celebrates the whole mystery of Christ, from his Incarnation until the day of Pentecost and the expectation of his coming again.”

The volume contains 15 pieces that span from The Presentation of the Lord to Christ the King. These 15 pieces for a collection of homilies. Some of them deeply profound, many of them good, a few excellent. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up the first volume, this time I was a little more prepared. The first one was excellent so I picked up this one. It is completely different from the volume, Lent with the Saints, by J.B. Midgley and from the Catholic Truth Society. I highlighted many passages in this volume, some of them are:

“The liturgical year-with its Sundays and weekdays, Easter and Christmas, Advent and Lent, Ordinary time, ferias and feasts-is one of the great givens of the Christian life. We live our lives within it. This is true even when we are not consciously referring to it. It’s a framework, a mould, a supporting rhythm, a background that at some peak times becomes the foreground. It has, too, been one of the great facts of European and Western cultural history. We’re familiar with the civil year (which comes to us from the Romans), the financial year, the academic year … But there is this other presence too, still hanging on even in semi-pagan Britain-and every revolutionary attempt to conjure it away (1789, 1917) has itself foundered.”

“That, too, is part of the mystery of the Upper Room and of holy Mass. Jesus offers himself and us to the Father and the Father responds with the Spirit. Jesus gives us his body and hidden in that body is the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit.”

“Lord Jesus Christ, as you fill us today with your Body and the wonder of its presence, fill us also with your Spirit and send us out in the wind and fire of Pentecost.”

“Here’s the Catechism: “Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: ‘The Son of God … loved me and gave himself for me.’ He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sin and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that … love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 478).”

“His whole life. The mystery and power of this great figure. A monk, centuries ago, said John’s voice is “an everlasting voice”. And Origen said that the spirit of John is always at work in the world. John, after Mary, is the closest to the risen Christ and therefore closest to us.”

““His name is John.” I think we Europeans need to hear this especially. Without the faith, it has been said, Europe will die. Europe will die if Europeans lack the faith, hope, and love to have children. The future of Europe passes by way of the family. God passes by way of the love of man and woman and the life that comes from it. There are so many reasons for refusing that life, so many means for doing so. But if we turn our back on it, as a society, a civilisation, we die.”

“The contemporary relevance is clear. Not every love is entitled to sexual expression. We all know that. Not every love is entitled to the dignity of marriage. We all know that, too. Politically, Herod’s ‘marriage’ to Herodias caused chaos. And so will the changes proposed to the understanding of marriage. Love has many mansions, but marriage is the only true home of sexual love. And marriage is between a man and a woman free to marry, not between anyone else.”

“Peter and Paul, the book-ends, as it were, of the College of Apostles, and in between them all the rest. Peter and Paul, both guided by God to Rome, both martyred there, Peter crucified, Paul beheaded, and both since the third century AD at least, venerated together on this day.”

“There is a traditional association between St Benedict and the Cross. Today’s feast, we say, begins the monastic Lent, a little turn towards next year’s Easter. Strictly speaking, this is coincidental. The ides of September (the 13th) are a cardinal point in St Benedict’s year, but he would not have known this feast on this date. The wider association comes, I suppose, from the Dialogues, where the sign of the Cross is seen to be one of St Benedict’s weapons against the Evil One. And then there’s St Benedict’s medal. The monk, we know, is a cross-bearer (a staurophore). “If any man would come after me …” Life through death is the whole idea of the monastic way. We share by patience in the sufferings of Christ … The monk is meant to be marked with the sign of the Cross and to be sensitive to the glory hidden in the Cross.”

“The Roman Calendar devotes this day to the three archangels known from Scripture: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The Benedictine Calendar is more global. It entitles the feast St Michael and All Angels. It invites us, therefore-and its Collect too-to consider the angelic world as a whole, and its interaction with the world we think of as our own.”

“The Bible says it again and again. An angel rescued Lot. An angel stopped Abraham sacrificing Isaac. An angel led Israel through the desert. An angel helped Elijah on the way to Horeb. An angel protected Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego. An angel took Habbakuk by the hair and brought Daniel dinner. An angel strengthened Judas Maccabeus. An angel counselled Joseph when the Child’s life was under threat. Angels ministered to the Lord in the desert. An angel took Peter out of prison. In every case, help was needed, consciously or not.”

“In this solemnity we are celebrating those holy men and women of every time and place who have lived the beatitudes and been given the kingdom. We are celebrating all those, known and unknown, who now see God, who see him as he is, who stand before the Throne and the Lamb (the Father and the Son) and cry out in the Spirit with a loud cry: “Victory to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb.” We are celebrating their care for us, their cry to us to lift up our hearts, that heavenly pull on the believing heart that the thought of God’s glory should be.”

“The saints in heaven are not disconnected one from another, not just a crowd of isolated individuals. As the liturgy is at pains to point out, we are celebrating a city. They are fellow citizens one of another. They form a city, they form a whole. They are a world. They are a church, the Church triumphant. They are humanity come to its goal. They are the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, lit by the glory of God, not only in their relations with him but in their relations one to another and for ever.”

“Next Sunday it is Advent, and a new liturgical year. At the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel stand the Beatitudes, at the end these works of mercy. At the beginning, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” At the end, “And the King will answer, ‘I tell you solemnly, insofar as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.’” And in the middle comes the acclamation of St Peter, “You are the Christ, the messianic King, the Son of God.” Let us live what we hear, proud to have Christ as our King.”

The sermons are an interesting read. Because they focus on the readings and purposes of specific church feasts and saint days, they are spread through the year. As a book they can be read they can provide great encouragement and a challenge through the season of ordinary time, as we encounter these feasts.

I am looking forward to other volume in this series and other volumes written by Bishop Gilbert. This is an excellent volume from the Catholic Truth Society I can easily recommend it!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by Bishop Hugh Gilbert:
Living the Mystery
Unfolding the Mystery
Words for Feast and Saint Days
Words for the Advent and Christmas Season
Words for the Lent and Easter Season
…

Words for Feasts and Saints Days - Hugh Gilbert - CTS Books

Words for the Lent and Easter Season - Hugh Gilbert
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Thursday 5 September 2024

The Medieval Fathers and Writers - Pope Benedict XVI - The Spiritual Masters

The Medieval Fathers & Writers 
The Spiritual Masters
Pope Benedict XVI
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860827235
CTS Booklet B640

The Medieval Fathers and Writers - Pope Benedict XVI - The Spiritual Masters CTS Books

I love reading books from the Catholic Truth Society, and I love reading books by and about Pope Benedict XVI.  And this volume combines both those passions. Over the last few years I have read over 400 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society, and several volumes by or about Pope Benedict XVI. The description of the book is:

“By delving into the great scholastic and monastic theological debates of the medieval age, Pope Benedict XVI shows how the thought of medieval scholars can reinvigorate and deepen our faith today.

In this richly illustrated volume, Pope Benedict examines the great Saints of the middle ages from St Odo, Abbot of Cluny, to St Peter Lombard the twelfth-century theologian. With the Holy Father as our expert guide, we delve into the great debates of scholastic and monastic theology meeting figures such as Hugh and Richard of Saint Victor, St Peter Damian and St Bernard of Clairvaux. An exploration of the theological meaning behind the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral architecture of this time provides further depth.

Through his series of catecheses on the life and works of great witnesses to the faith, Pope Benedict XVI helps us to understand "what it means to be a Christian today." These portraits of the distinguished figures of the medieval Church are not just biographical sketches but also provide the ecclesial backdrop against which they lived out their 'yes' to Christ. Through the words of the Holy Father, these great Saints and teachers of the faith come alive and call us to reawaken and deepen our faith."

And the chapters are:

Saint Odo of Cluny
Saint Peter Damian
Symeon the New Theologian
Saint Anselm
Peter the Venerable
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Monastic Theology and Scholastic Theology
Two Theological Models in Comparison: Bernard and Abelard
The Cluniac Reform
The Cathedral from the Romanesque to the Gothic Architecture: The Theological Background
Hugh and Richard of Saint-Victor
William of Saint-Thierry
Rupert of Deutz
John of Salisbury
Peter Lombard

Index of Audiences
Index of Illustrations

The English edition of this book released in 2011, it is a translation from Italian that was released in 2009. There is a companion volume Spiritual Masters: Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium that was released the same year. Both are currently back in print in limited availability from the. The content of both these volumes is also contained in the Ignatius Press volume called Church Fathers And Teachers which also contains 9 preceding chapters. This volume was an excellent read. And it is one I plan to return to and read again. It is also different than many of the books I read from the Catholic Truth Society.  It is a beautiful hard cover volume. With full glossy pages, and numerous illustrations, some partial pages and some 2 page spread. Ever few pages is a 2 page colour print, and often single pages prints of classic artwork. There are 35 illustrations in total. Each chapter is a translation of an audience given between 2nd September 2009 and the 30th of December 2009 that same year. These reflections go deep into the fathers and writers, their lives, and their meaning for us today. They each are presented examples to us today. It should be noted this edition modifies the addresses somewhat and presents them as papers and not word for word from the audiences, which is different than the Ignatius Press edition.

I seldom keep physical books. I tend to pass them on to others. But this book is a pleasure to read and view that it has gone on my shelf of keepers. 

This is an excellent volume and well worth tracking down. 




The Medieval Fathers and Writers - Pope Benedict XVI - The Spiritual Masters

The Medieval Fathers and Writers - Pope Benedict XVI - The Spiritual Masters Sample 1

The Medieval Fathers and Writers - Pope Benedict XVI - The Spiritual Masters Sample 2

The Medieval Fathers and Writers - Pope Benedict XVI - The Spiritual Masters Sample 3

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Link to reviews of other books by and about Pope Benedict XVI.

Books by Benedict XVI:
The Way of the Cross - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI
Finding Life's Purpose: Inspiration for Young People
Don't Be Afraid To Be Saints - with Pope John Paul II
Confession Advice and Encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI 
From the Depths of Our Hearts - Pope Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah
Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers
Way of Calvary: Stations of the Cross 
Spiritual Masters Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium 
Spiritual Masters Medieval Fathers and Writers


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Wednesday 4 September 2024

Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Frankenstein Revived
2023
by Morris Panych
Music by David Coulter
Based on Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Directed by Morris Panych
Movement choreography by Wendy Gorling
Dance choreography by Stephen Cota
World Première Adaptation

Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Over the last few years my son, who is now 16, and I have attended a number of plays in Stratford at the festival. We eagerly await the announcements of the season’s shows and often debate what shows we want to attend and why and then we buy our tickets early in the winter. For the 2023 Season I did not get around to writing reviews during the season but wanted to still share my thoughts. And this production was just amazing. It was the last of five shows we saw in 2023, the others were: King Lear, Grand Magic, A Wrinkle in Time, and Goblin Macbeth. But back to this production. This is a production we both greatly loved and talked about for weeks after.

The cast in Alphabetical order is:

Townsperson, Servant - Eric Abel
Professor 1, D’lacy, Captain - Sean Arbuckle
Element, Gossip, Townsperson, Bird, Guest, Passenger - Carla Bennett
Element, Henry Clerval - Devon Michael Brown
Mary Shelley - Laura Condlln
Element, Gossip, Townsperson, Agatha, Guest - Amanda De Freitas
Element, Sailor, Student, Townsperson, Felix - Mateo G. Torres
Doctor Victor Frankenstein - Charlie Gallant
Element, Father, Professor 2, Townsperson - Eddie Glen
Element, Student, Grave Digger, Townsperson, Guest - Mckinley Knuckle
Element, Mother On Train, Townsperson, Bird, Guest - Gracie Mack
Element, Landlady, Townsperson, Bird - Ayrin Mackie
Element, Sailor, Merchant, Professor 3, Grave Digger, Townsperson, Guest - Anthony Macpherson
Element, Nanny, Townsperson, Guest - Heather Mcguigan
William - Garrett Mckee
Helper - Spencer Nicholas Mcleod
Element, Elizabeth, Townsperson - Kyla Musselman
The Creature - Marcus Nance
Element, Student, Townsperson, Guest,
Police Officer, Pallbearer - Trevor Patt
Element, Sailor, Student, Townsperson, Guest, Soldier, Pallbearer - Jason Sermonia
Swings - Josh Doig
Bethany Kovarik

Understudies
The Creature - Devon Michael Brown
Professor 1, D’lacy, Captain - Aaron Krohn
Mary Shelley - Ayrin Mackie
Father, Professor 2 - Anthony Macpherson
Helper - Garrett Mckee
William - Spencer Nicholas Mcleod
Doctor Victor Frankenstein - Trevor Patt
Henry Clerval - Jason Sermonia

Prior to going to see this we watched the National Theatre Production of Frankenstein from 2021 staring Benedict Cumberbatch. I knew my son had not year read the book, and was unfamiliar with the story. Or only the basics. Watching that production prior to this primed us for this incredible play. There is a warning that this play includes continuous loud music, as well as fog and haze effects. This production featured no dialogue. It is play based on movement, and sound. And it goes back and forth between scenes of Shelley writing the monster and Dr Frankenstein either creating or becoming the monster depending on how you interpret the story.

It is an absolutely stunning production, and one that many misunderstood, I believe, for about 1/3 of the seats were empty after the intermission, the day we attended. For us my son and I sat in stunned silence as we absorbed the sound and sights that told these intertwined stories. To be honest the performance left us speechless and it was not until well into our meal after the production that we finally started talking about it.

This was a standout show for us in the 2023 season. An incredible production!


Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Frankenstein Revived Stratford Festival 2023 A Review

Reviews of Other Stratford Productions:
Richard III – 2022
Hamlet – 2022
The Miser – 2022
King Lear – 2023
Grand Magic – 2023
A Wrinkle in Time – 2023
Cymbeline – 2024
Twelfth Night – 2024
…







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