Peake, Richard Brinsley

British playwright, best known for his adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein — a play which Mary Shelley herself saw and enjoyed (sort of), though it has relatively little in common with her novel. It is, like most drama of the time, highly melodramatic and both the plotline and the characterizations have been much simplified relative to the novel.

Etexts:
Presumption; or, The Fate of Frankenstein [1823; first perf. July 28]
- complete etext
Part of the Romantic Circles Electronic Editions project, this e-version of the play was edited by the well-known Romanticist Stephen Behrendt, of the U Nebraska at Lincoln. This hypertext includes a wealth of contextual and biographical information as well as some early reviews and a filmography
- Act I only [English Dept, U Saskatchewan]

- discussion of the play, largely in the context of an overview of dramatic adaptations of Frankenstein [The Ultimate Frankenstein Site]. this link opens a new browser window

- a contemporary review of the play
From the London Morning Post, Tuesday, July 29 & Wednesday, July 30, 1823. [Romantic Circles]

"Richard Brinsley Peake."