Mary Shelley

Synopsis/Company

Inspired by the remarkable life of one of literature's greatest writers. Losing her mother at the age of 11, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin finds comfort in reading the family memoir written by her philosophical father William Godwin. However his honest account of her mother's suicide attempt , extra-marital affair and the birth of their illegitimate elder daughter are regarded by society as shocking. Sharing her father's controversially liberal outlook, Mary is herself drawn into scandal when she falls in love with Percy Bysshe Shelley, a married writer, and elopes - becoming Mary Shelley. Delving into the writer's turbulent personal history, this striking production sheds light on the personal background of a bold young woman who came to write a novel so radical in its ideology, she changed the literary landscape forever. World Premiere


Performers Kristin Atherton (Mary Shelley), Flora Nicholson (Fanny Wollstonecraft), Ben Lamb (Percy Shelley), William Chubb (William Godwin), Shannon Tarbet (Jane Clairmont), Sadie Shimmin (Mrs Godwin). Author Helen Edmundson. Producer West Yorkshire Playhouse. Producer Shared Experience. Producer Nottingham Playhouse. Director Polly Teale. Design Naomi Dawson. Music Keith Clouston. Director Liz Ranken (movement). Lighting Chris Davey. Director Amy Ball (casting). Sound Drew Baumohl. Director Majella Hurley (voice).

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