Frankenstein.

On 20 April 2011, Dramatic Need hosted an exclusive, late night Q&A with director and stars of Frankenstein at the National Theatre London. This was the only time that the show’s stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Jonny Lee Miller and Director Danny Boyle came together to answer audience questions on Nick Dear’s incrediblereimagining of Shelley’s Frankenstein. The event was a sell-out, but what the audience and the stars didn’t know was that Dramatic Need had a special surprise in store for them!

All of these ladies were previously unemployed and had no sewing skills, but after three weeks training at the arts centre they became veritable wizards with both sewing machine and needle!

This three week project not only trained the ladies to sew (a vital skill in rural communities, and the means through which many women feed their families) but also provided them with a much-needed income (Dramatic Need, of course, paid all the women for their hard work). 

Dramatic Need would like to thank  Paulina Sematana, “Mami” Mofokeng, Maleboheng “Lebo” Maseola, Nomvula “Vuli”  Nopatch, Disebo Annie Tladi and Marase “Mmeme” Motho (pictured on the right wearing the masks, from left) of the DNLSC for making the Q&A such a special night!

To see footage, transcripts and photographs of the Q&A, filmed by one of our supporters, please see the Dramatic Need Blog.

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