London is set to host the highly anticipated London debut of "Cruel Britannia: After Frankenstein," a powerful and personal play written and performed by Kristen Smyth. Running from June 18th to 30th, 2025, at The Glitch in Waterloo, this production marks a significant return for Smyth, nearly three decades after her pivotal role as production editor for the notorious '90s lad mag, Loaded.
Kristen Smyth’s journey from the raucous world of Loaded to acclaimed playwright and actress has been transformative. After spearheading the production of a magazine that, at its peak, sold half a million copies a month, Smyth embarked on a deeply personal journey, transitioning to become a trans woman. "Transitioning was the hardest thing I’ve ever done," Smyth shared, reflecting on the profound change that led her to a new life in Australia and a burgeoning career in theatre.
"Cruel Britannia: After Frankenstein" offers a transgender reimagining of Mary Shelley's classic novel, setting it against the backdrop of Thatcher's Britain in 1983. In Smyth's version, Viktor becomes Frank, an 80s football hooligan, while the Creature manifests as Ruby, Frank's hidden trans self. The play boldly intertwines the aggressive culture of West Ham’s Inter City Firm with contemporary gender politics, a collision that has garnered rave reviews from its runs in Melbourne and at the Edinburgh Fringe. Playbill praised its Edinburgh run as a "poetic epic" where "hooligans and club kids [wrestle] for joy in a world that aims to make them, and their queerness, monstrous," while The Age declared it "a trans goth classic."
Smyth’s powerful storytelling, described as poetic, vibrant, fierce, and furiously funny, delves into her decades-long search for self. Her journey, which began with a therapist's pivotal question in 2018, has culminated in a play that promises to be both a challenging and deeply engaging experience for London audiences. Don't miss this opportunity to witness Kristen Smyth's extraordinary story brought to life on stage.
