Frankenstein with Steven Berkoff
Tuesday 8 July 2025, 7.00pm — 10.00pm
The legendary actor and playwright Steven Berkoff reads from Mary Shelley’s iconic horror story Frankenstein. With poetry from Mary Shelley and the Romantic era women writers read by Emily Rose Smith. Music from the period including Fanny Mendelssohn played by pianist Elena Toponogova, plus contemporary South Downs poets.
The South Downs Poetry Festival is delighted to link up with the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association to celebrate the mould-breaking writing of Mary Shelley and other women Romantics. Who better than the legendary actor and playwright Steven Berkoff to bring the tale of Frankenstein to sizzling life?
Berkoff is the author of a range of acclaimed plays and adaptations including East, West and Decadence as well as versions of Kafka’s Trial and Metamorphosis. Films Steven has acted in include A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, Octopussy, Beverly Hills Cop, Rambo, Under the Cherry Moon, Absolute Beginners and The Krays.
The music includes works by Fanny Mendelssohn, the sister of Felix. Elena Toponogova (below left) is a concert pianist and chamber musician based in London.
Emily Rose Smith (above right) has performed in London and Chichester, acting with Nick Moran in Chekov, Sam West in Dr Faustus and reading with Roger McGough and Louis de Bernieres in Chichester Cathedral. She will read from the poetry of Mary Shelley and other women Romantic writers. South Downs poets will add the voice of contemporary poetry to the celebration.
Tickets: £15 from the Novium (01243 816525) or online.