‘Frankenstein’ at the Greenwich Theatre 2026 Review

Yesterday the British Youth Music Theatre successfully reanimated Frankenstein, a musical adaptation of Shelley’s novel first staged at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2006. Although the first half has a habit of telling not showing, and does not quite settle on what it wants to be, juggling gothic horror, musical theatre and at times, melodrama, theContinue reading “‘Frankenstein’ at the Greenwich Theatre 2026 Review”

Gone Girls and Cool Girls: Holly Golightly and Amy Elliott Dunne

Now, I doubt many people would put Holly Golightly and Amy Elliott Dunne together – and I’ll admit, I came across the idea totally by chance. I recently read Gillian Flynn’s 2012 thriller Gone Girl, and afterwards chance upon Truman Capote’s 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Gone Girl tells the story of Nick’s search forContinue reading “Gone Girls and Cool Girls: Holly Golightly and Amy Elliott Dunne”

‘Frankenstein’ 2025: An Analysis

Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ is probably one of the most famous British novels – if not THE most famous in Gothic circles. Personally, I’ve always been more team ‘Dracula,’ so I was very interested to see what Guillermo Del Toro’s take had in store for the iconic story. Safe to say, the film has received raveContinue reading “‘Frankenstein’ 2025: An Analysis”

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 1910: The Phantom, Raoul and Christine – A Toxic Love Triangle

Happy (early) Valentines Day! What better day to break down one of literatures most famous love triangles? Gaston Leroux’s novel ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ has charmed, and haunted, the world long before Andrew Lloyd Webber took to his keyboard. Despite the books success though, it was Webber’s words that immortalised the story and lovesContinue reading “‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 1910: The Phantom, Raoul and Christine – A Toxic Love Triangle”

‘Nagina’ 1986: An Analysis

‘Nagina,’ was released in 1986 and is now seen as a watershed moment in Indian cinema. Sridevi’s turn as Rajni, an ichchadhari naagin, proved that a woman-centric move could be a commercial success. The film centres around the relationship between Rajni and Rajiv, played by Rishi Kapoor, as they battle against Amrish Puri’s villainous BhaironContinue reading “‘Nagina’ 1986: An Analysis”

‘Mexican Gothic’ and Decay

‘Mexican Gothic’ was published in 2020 and was written by Silvio Moreno-Garcia. Upon its publication its popularity quickly soared, and many likened the novel to the works of Guillermo del Toro and Daphne du Maurier. The novel opens with young heroine Noemí receiving a disturbing letter from her cousin Catalina. Catalina fears that her husband,Continue reading “‘Mexican Gothic’ and Decay”

Race Relations in American Literature: 1850-2009

Relations between black people and white people has been a relevant and important topic, now more than ever. The issue has been discussed and critiqued in works of American fiction, beginning in the 1850’s with ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’ These novels, generally speaking, reflected peoples’ perceptions of race relations at the time of their publication, andContinue reading “Race Relations in American Literature: 1850-2009”

The Corrupting Presence of Rebecca de Winter in ‘Rebecca’

Given the the title of du Maurier’s most famous work it is unsurprising that Rebecca dominates the entire plot, like some sort of Gothic spectre. Although she is dead, she manages to corrupt all characters, and the physical house of Manderley, while being corrupted herself. Rhododendrons are mentioned throughout the text, and they grow overContinue reading “The Corrupting Presence of Rebecca de Winter in ‘Rebecca’”

‘Rebecca’ Chapter One: An Analysis

‘Rebecca’ was published in 1938 and is Daphne Du Maurier’s most influential novel. Throughout the novel, the unnamed narrator describes her life with her new husband, Mr de Winter, and begins to realise that he, and her marital home, are haunted by Mr de Winter’s previous wife.  The novel opens with the iconic line: ‘lastContinue reading “‘Rebecca’ Chapter One: An Analysis”

‘Spencer’ 2021: An Analysis

This post contains spoilers for the 2021 film ‘Spencer.’ Pablo Larraín’s latest biopic, which focuses on the late Princess of Wales, has been lauded by critics and caused quite a stir. Those who would be expecting  something similar to ‘The Crown’ will be in for a surprise. The film does not just follow the Princess,Continue reading “‘Spencer’ 2021: An Analysis”