GET ready to hide behind your cushion - the ultimate horror story comes to The Nuffield this week.

Patrick Sandford, the theatre's artistic director, has written what is understood to be the very first adaptation of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein using the author's own words.

Mary, the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, wrote the novel when on holiday with her future husband, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron.

The three of them decided to see who could write the most thrilling and frightening story - needless to say, she won.

Frankenstein is a tale about the delicate balance between science and nature and despite being written almost 200 years ago still has relevance today.

Patrick Sandford says that adapting the book for the stage proved quite a challenge.

He explains: "Technically it was very difficult. Of course it's a theatrical story but to present it on the stage in a manner that will thrill and frighten yet make the audience believe in and empathise with all of the characters, particularly with the 'Creature' who is, in fact, tender-hearted, articulate and actually somewhat of a victim, is a huge challenge."

Frankenstein is at The Nuffield, Southampton, from Thursday to October 16. Box office: 023 8067 1771.