A new play about the extraordinary life of the author of Frankenstein arrives at Nottingham Playhouse this week.
Written by award-winning playwright Helen Edmundson, Mary Shelley is a "bold exploration of the radical beliefs and relationships that led the author of Frankenstein to write one of the greatest novels in history when she was just 19".
The play features how young Mary, having at an early age lost her mother Mary Wollstonecraft, finds comfort in reading the family memoir written by her father, radical philosopher William Godwin.
However, his account of her mother's suicide attempt, extra-marital affair and birth of her illegitimate elder daughter are regarded by society as shocking.
Mary is herself drawn into scandal when she falls in love with married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and elopes at the age of 16.
Delving into Mary Shelley's turbulent personal history, the production "sheds light on the life of a bold young woman who wrote a novel so radical in its ideology that she changed the literary landscape".
Shared Experience is working with Nottingham Playhouse for the first time since The Caucasian Chalk Circle in 2009.
Giles Croft, Nottingham Playhouse's artistic director, commented, "We're thrilled to be co-producing Mary Shelley with Shared Experience and West Yorkshire Playhouse, in association with Oxford Playhouse.
"Our previous collaborations with Shared Experience include The Caucasian Chalk Circle, War and Peace and A Passage to India, all of which resulted in some outstanding theatre.
"I know Mary Shelley will offer audiences a night of gripping and beautifully staged theatre."
The cast comprises Kristin Atherton (Mary Shelley); William Chubb (Mr Godwin); Ben Lamb (Percy Shelley); Flora Nicholson (Fanny Wollstonecraft); Sadie Shimmin (Mrs Godwin); and Shannon Tarbet (Jane Clairmont).
Polly Teale, artistic director of Shared Experience, directs. Designer is Naomi Dawson; composer Keith Clouston; lighting designer Chris Davey; sound designer Drew Baumohl; movement Liz Ranken; and voice Majella Hurley.
Mary Shelley runs at Nottingham Playhouse from Tuesday (17 April) until Saturday, 5 May.
There'll be a post-show discussion on Tuesday, 24 April and a Shelley masterclass on Thursday, 26 April at 4.30pm.