Wilkes University Marks 200th Anniversary of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein With Oct. 30 Event

Event Features Screening of National Theatre of London's Film Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

Wilkes-Barre, PA (10/15/2018) — Spend Halloween eve celebrating the 200th birthday of Frankenstein as the Wilkes University English Department commemorates the anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley's novel. A talk about the legendary novel and a film screening of the National Theatre of London Live's Frankenstein will be held on Oct. 30. The doors open at 5p.m. with the event starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Henry Student Center, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. The event is free and open to the public.

The event starts with presentations by associate professors of English, Helen Davis and Chad Stanley. They will share a brief history of Frankenstein's publication, the cultural legacy of the novel and the history of the specific production being screened. Following a viewing of the filmed production, the evening will conclude with a round table discussion.

Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Met with cruelty wherever he goes, the increasingly desperate and vengeful creature determines to track down his creator and strike a deal. Scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil, are embedded within this thrilling and disturbing classic tale.

The National Theatre of London's production of Frankenstein is directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire). It features Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange, Hamlet, BBC's Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (Elementary, Trainspotting) alternating between the roles of Victor Frankenstein and his creation.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the nation's finest small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 47 majors, Wilkes offers 25 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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