Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein is an 1823 play in three acts by Richard Brinsley Peake based on the 1818 novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley. It is the first recorded theatrical adaptation of the novel and had 37 performances during its original run. It was revived at the English Opera House until at least 1850.
The play marks the first recorded appearance of Victor Frankenstein’s servile assistant character, who is known commonly in pop culture as Igor. Here, the character is named Fritz, just as he is named in the 1931 film adaptation. Such a character does not exist in the original novel.
Mary Shelley attended the play in London during its original run. It was the only adaptation of Frankenstein Shelley saw during her lifetime.
T.P. Cooke, mentioned in Shelley's 1823 review of the play, is the earliest known actor to play Frankenstein's Monster