Frankenstein: Live at Cadogan Hall

Once more, the brilliant Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has played the music of Michael Shapiro, and this time it was to a packed Cadogan Hall with the London Premiere of the live score for the 1931 classic movie ‘Frankenstein’.

Maestro Shapiro not only composed the music, but he conducted the orchestra and took part in a Question and Answer session prior to the screening - alongside Boris Karloff’s daughter Sara.

The Q&A session was hosted by Pamela Hutchinson, who asked insightful questions about the film, Karloff himself and the music. Both Sara and Michael shared their love of the film and fascination with it. The screening at Cadogan Hall was particularly important for Sara, as her father had lived for a time on Cadogan Square, just a few steps away.

I was fortunate in having interviewed Sara for Harmonious World in May 2026, having chatted with Michael several times, in October 2020, April 2021 and October 2024. I also travelled to Milan in October 2021 to see a similar screening.

The music is always gorgeous, bringing out what is happening on the screen. Although this showing was the 85th, it was the UK premiere and a very special evening.

Buy your tickets to see one of the forthcoming performances of ‘Frankenstein’