Theatre Review - MARY SHELLEY, THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

In ‘Mary Shelley’ - written by Helen Edmundson - we are treated to the inner workings of the author Mary Shelley’s life (although some historical points are intentionally adapted in service of the story arc). We start by seeing a mid-teens Mary returning home from her travels to her doting ‘revolutionary’ father, stepmother and two loving half-sisters. Then she meets, and immediately and passionately connects with, the married Percy Shelley. This is the moment when life changes for everyone, as Mary runs away with him, taking her sister Jane with her. The play allows a slow-burn exploration of moral philosophy to unfold. We watch key characters’ decisions having unexpected repercussions for others, and themselves. The points are made strongly and clearly, but not overtly or heavy-handedly, and we, the audience, are allowed to reach our own conclusions in our own time.

Directors Tracey Lucas and Matthew Hope have created an excellent production brimming with drama, style and a touch of humour. The whole production was rehearsed and produced to perfection with clear understanding of the subject matter.  The minimalist set design (Sands Dodson) was well thought-out and added to the mood and tone of the play. The very fact that the stage is dominated by two over-sized books, written by each of Mary’s parents, alongside her mother’s grave, gives an idea of how deeply the lives and philosophies of her parents affects her own thinking. It was clear when stylised dream sequences were happening with blue lights (Lighting Design, Claire Brissenden and Ben Nielsen-Rouse) and the sound of flowing water (Sound Design, Kate Scott). The overall design supported throughout and helped the show flow smoothly.

Emma Jane Robson gave a very raw performance as Harriet, the pregnant and wronged wife of Shelly, begging Mary not to take her husband. There was a great feeling of push and pull in one two-handed scene, as Mrs Godwin (Anna Dobson) tries her best to warn her daughter Jane (Minnie Dobson) of the perils of trusting dubious men. I particularly liked how it showed Mrs Godwin’s reasoning and vulnerability, in a character often used as a figure of fun, while also showing how naïve and stubborn Jane could be. Ashton Matthews brought tears to our eyes with her nuanced performance of the stoic but quietly-breaking Fanny. Andrew De’Ath brought a depth and complexity to William Godwin as a moral, intellectual, standoffish, yet loving father. Joe Moore seemed to enjoy his role as the flirtatious and free-spirited Percy Shelly. However, it was his most serious scene that had me captivated, as Percy and Mary dealt with a heartbreaking loss in a very real, raw and beautifully-performed moment of shared grief. As to Holly Stamp as Mary Shelly, she was simply sublime, truly grasping the strength of character it took for Mary to live the way she did, but maintaining her vulnerability and her need for her father’s approval.

This is an excellent production that will stay with you long after the last bow, both intellectually and emotionally.

Mary Shelley is showing at the Peoples’ Theatre until 14^th February 2026.