Victor Frankenstein created a monster. Mary Shelley composed a son.

In 1816, the daemon of paper and ink became a child of flesh and blood, but now that child is threatened by an ancient power that reaches out from the fathomless ocean depths. Within the walls of her house, the shadows of Mary’s dark imagination come to life, each intent on bending the author’s will to their whim. To save her literary child from an unspeakable fate she must confront the specters and scandal of her past that refuse to remain silent.

Limited to an audience of 12, “Rising from a Thousand Thrones” is an intimate, immersive experience that brings audiences into the waking nightmare of Mary Shelley’s reality.

Throughout the show, audiences will be standing and/or walking for long periods. Though audience may be seated at certain points, this is not a seated performance.

Audience may be offered food or drink at different points throughout the show. Individual audience members may accept or decline offerings based on personal preference, inclination, or restriction.

Though audience interaction and participation are a part of the performance, audiences who are hesitant about close contact with performers can inform a member of house staff upon check-in to ensure individual considerations are respected as much as possible. Please note: though we may be able to accommodate concerns over close contact, the nature of the performance venue dictates performers and audience members will be in close proximity to one another.

Ticket buyers will receive further performance details at the email address provided when purchasing tickets.

For ages 18+

Content Considerations

This performance contains brief suggested violence and fog/smoke effects.

Health & Safety

Audience members may choose to wear masks at this event, but they are not required. Vaccination cards will not be checked.

Credits

THE PLAYERS

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT SHELLEY; author of Frankenstein . . . ALIYAH BATOT & LUCY FLETCHER

THE MARINER; the spirit of Samuel Taylor Coleridge . . . WILL KEENAN

PROMETHEUS; the “monster” offspring of Mary’s imagination . . . JARED BERNATOWICZ

OZYMANDIAS; the spirit of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary’s deceased husband . . . ANDREW LARKIN

QUEEN MAB; the spirit of Harriet Shelley, Percy’s first wife . . . JESSICA STINSON

GERALDINE DE VAUX; the spirit of Claire Claremont, Mary’s stepsister . . . REBECCA GOMEZRUEDA

JOHN HOWARD PAYNE; an American actor and suitor to Mary . . . LANE NORRIS

VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN; the brilliant doctor of Mary’s making . . . ALEX ROSS

THE ROSICRUCIANS; members of a secret society summoned by Mary . . . SASCHA GRUDEN & KIRK REICHART

THE ACOLYTES; living extensions of an ancient power . . . LUIS AGUILAR, MADELINE HYNES, & LOGAN SANTANA

About the Artist

Founded in 2015, Forgotten Lore Theatre is a Philadelphia-area performance company with a particular emphasis on immersive storytelling that produces devised works and original plays by area playwrights.

We believe art is created in the numinous space between artist and audience. Through innovative and experimental performances, we foster unique theatrical experiences for each audience member in an effort to keep the communal art of storytelling alive.

Previous Fringe Festival entries:
Dissever My Soul (2015)
Ashes of a Dead Philosophy (2016)
Every Day, Apocalypse! by R.A. Reutter (2017)
The Clinic by Rebecca Gomezrueda (2019)
Illimitable Dominion (2020)
Lovers and Madmen: Visions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (2021)