MARY SHELLEY

Daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft.
Lover of Shelley.
Author of Frankenstein...

Shared Experience brings to life the extraordinary tale of Mary Shelley - and how she came to write one of the greatest stories ever told, aged just 19.

This astonishing new play explores Shelley's remarkable life: her controversial philosopher father, her scandalous elopement aged 16 and what led her to write a novel, so radical in its ideology, that in 1817 she changed the literary landscape forever.

Shared Experience is renowned for bringing classics to the stage in bold, imaginative ways. For Mary Shelley it reunite with award-winning writer Helen Edmundson whose ground-breaking adaptations (Mill on the Floss, Coram Boy, Anna Karenina) have inspired generations of audiences.

A co-production between Nottingham Playhouse, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Shared Experience, Mary Shelley is directed by Polly Teale, Artistic Director of Shared Experience. Celebrated for her potent visual and imaginative style, Polly won the Evening Standard Award for Best Director for her own play After Mrs Rochester, which also won the Time Out Award for Best West End Production.

Mary Kristin Atherton
Mr Godwin William Chubb
Percy Shelley Ben Lamb
Fanny Flora Nicholson
Mrs Godwin Sadie Shimmin
Jane Shannon Tarbet


Writer Helen Edmundson
Director Polly Teale
Designer Naomi Dawson
Composer Keith Clouston
Movement Liz Ranken
Lighting Designer Chris Davey
Sound Designer Drew Baumohl
Assistant Director Cecily Boys

a powerfully told story...another triumph

Whatsonstage ›

Gripping...beautifully staged

The Times

Engrossing...rich...classic Shared Experience

The Observer ›

Kristin Atherton wholeheartedly takes on the title role, passionately showing a determined Mary Shelley...the onstage chemistry between Atherton and Ben Lamb (Percy Shelley) is emotive and truthful

The Public Reviews ›

Mary Shelley is enriched with technical stagecraft which is both simple and effective

Entertainment Focus ›