STARBURST readers will know James Whale as the English film director responsible for horror movie classics such as 1933’s The Invisible Man, 1931’s Frankenstein, and 1933’s Bride of Frankenstein. Tim Larkfield’s one-man show on the Edinburgh Fringe attempts to tell Whale’s life story in under an hour. It is a stunning feat of acting.

James Whale – Beyond Frankenstein is a biographical examination of the famous director’s story. Whale was openly gay at a time when that was a very difficult thing to do. We move swiftly through James’ origins, dwelling briefly on his time as an officer in the British Army during World War One and his time as a prisoner of war.

Larkfield’s production primarily focuses on Whale as a Hollywood director. Clever staging and lighting are used to hammer home the effect of Frankenstein, with classic scenes and lines from that movie being used to great effect. Parallels between the movies and the director’s own life are cleverly drawn. For example, moments showcasing The Invisible Man are also used to explore the fact that Whales was openly gay most of his life (during a time when that was much more challenging).

This is a solid performance-based piece with a carefully nurtured narrative. Exactly the sort of thing fringe theatre is for. It’s the performance, rather than the story itself that sells this work to the audience.

This is a clever, well-balanced and engaging show. We go through James various battles; with the studio, with religious bigotry, with the Hay’s Code and also Nazi Germany.  Larkfield pulls no punches in his performance, which is sympathetic but also honest.  This show is brilliantly done, and the character work is engaging throughout. James Whale’s story is one that is broadly forgotten by most movie-goers despite his incredible influence on modern horror. Stunning.

You can book Edinburgh Fringe 2024 tickets here and find out more about the performer here.