Khahliso Khama
MASERU — Frankenstein, written by British-born novelist Mary Shelley in 1816, ranks among the most venerated romantic literature and Gothic works.
It is about a young Swiss student who discovers the secret to create life.
He assembles body parts from human corpses in the hope of creating something beautiful.
But, to his dismay, he creates a monster which he and the society reject.
And, in an intriguing turn of events, the monster vows revenge against its creator and the human race.
Starting on Thursday, Machabeng College students will be staging a two-hour play adapted from the novel.
Asta Mihkelson, a drama and art teacher at the school, is directing the play.
“We have been waiting for this time when we mark the end of the year with an exciting play,” Liatile Mohale, a drama teacher at the college, told Xpress People.
“It is a norm at this school that every year we present plays as to enhance drama.
“In the past two years, we did Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and Moshoeshoe.
“So this year we are glad to stage Frankenstein.”
Mohale said Frankenstein was one of the best plays to be stages at the school.
“It is different and new to the audience and challenging for both the cast and the audience,” she said.
The play will run up to Saturday.
“These are some of the rare chances families get to enjoy a good play and day out together so we are hoping it will bring families together,” Mohale said.
She said the play demanded extensive preparations.
“This play is sure to help our students work under pressure because of the lots of work but limited time involved in preparations for the play,” the teacher said.
Mohale said they had engaged even students who are not taking drama as a subject because of the benefits and lessons in the play.
“Drama is very important in any society,” she said.
“We need our people to appreciate drama as a tool of communication and education.”
“I would love government bodies such as the Ministry of Tourism Environment and Culture to support this art because it does not receive the kind of recognition it deserves,” she added.