Frankenstein Mary Shelley thought up the story of Dr Frankenstein in the cold, wet summer of 1816: experiments with electrical "galvanism" - making dead frogs twitch - were raising questions about the nature of life. She half-dreamt the tale, seeing "the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the Thing". It became a deathless myth, but Nick Dear's play returns to the original book.  Under Danny Boyle's direction, the creator and monster alternate the roles, Jonny Lee Miller sharing with Benedict Cumberbatch (who already has a slight look of having been assembled from a kit). They can't switch between matinee and evening, as Nicholas Hytner revealed: "The Creature's make-up is extremely heavy." So, unlike most actors suffering prosthetic discomforts, they'll each have someone who really sympathises. Libby Purves National Theatre: Olivier, London (020-7452 3000), til april 17. Day seats only. Broadcast live to cinemas worldwide on March 17 The Wizard of Oz andrew Lloyd Webber's souped-up new version, starting previews on Monday, is already enjoying the benefits of being hyped by its own talent show, BBC One's Over the Rainbow - advance bookings are over ?10 million. Danielle Hope takes the no-pressure-then role of Dorothy, the beloved songs will all be there, plus a few new ones, and there'll be "a few surprises along the way". a stage blockbuster is born. James Jackson London Palladium (wizardofozthemusical.com 0844 4122957), Mon The Heretic While Greenland at the National shows the dangers of climate change, the naysayers take the stage at the Royal Court. Juliet Stevenson and The Vicar of Dibley's James Fleet star in this black comedy, by Richard Bean, confronting scientific orthodoxy. Laura Silverman Royal Court, London SW1 (royalcourttheatre. com 020-7565 5000), until March 19)