29-04-2025
'Frankenstein' returns to SF Ballet as a cautionary tale for the AI age
Frankenstein has returned to the San Francisco Ballet after nearly eight years since first premiering in the city.
Why it matters: The production resurfaces at an important time and even more so as a cautionary tale as society navigates the widespread adoption and use of AI, said Joseph Walsh, a stager and principal dancer at San Francisco Ballet.
"Where is technology taking us and how are we going to fit into the next few years as AI really starts to take over? We are in this super precarious place," he added.
State of play: The story follows Victor Frankenstein — an ambitious young scientist whose obsession with scientific discovery eventually leads to his downfall.
Driven by a desire to unlock the secrets of life, Frankenstein creates a monster who he later comes to regret following a series of tragic and violent events.
The big picture: The performance's resurgence is part of a broader effort from Artistic Director Tamara Rojo to introduce and captivate new and younger audiences into the fine arts, Walsh said.
The creative shift towards more contemporary performances has also drawn interest from donors and classical ballet enthusiasts, he added.
"Through a bit of interesting programming and finding new voices and fresh takes on old stories, we're seeing a much younger audience come into shows," he said.
Catch up quick: Choreographer Liam Scarlett's rendition of Mary Shelley's novel as a ballet first premiered in 2016 at the Royal Ballet in London, prior to debuting in San Francisco in 2017.
Between the lines: Set in a dark and gothic backdrop, the show features special effects, pyrotechnics and a suspenseful original score meant to amp up the drama.
What they're saying: For Walsh, who also performs as the titular mad scientist in the show, the creature's tragic storyline represents how "the othering of somebody can really just lead to the demise of that person and everyone around them."
The intrigue: Sci-fi, gothic and steampunk lovers, fans of the film " Poor Things," true crime junkies and anyone who appreciates "where the eerie meets the edgy" will enjoy this performance, according to SF Ballet.
If you go: The show, timed at 2 hours and 47 minutes, is running now until Sunday at the War Memorial Opera House.
