Frantic Assembly: Metamorphosis at Liverpool Playhouse

Acclaimed theatre company Frantic Assembly return to Liverpool Playhouse with a thrilling new theatrical retelling of Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Working in collaboration with celebrated poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE, this bold production promises to be an unmissable adaptation of Kafka’s classic novella.

An unmissable adaptation of Kafka’s classic novella.

One of Kafka’s most prolific works, Metamorphosis tells the story of Gregor Samsa, who awakes one morning to find that he has transformed into a huge insect. Until this point, Gregor has woken up every morning, boarded his usual train and worked hard to pay off the family debt. From breadwinner to burden, absurd and horrific, this is a brutal portrayal of a man crushed under the heel of a system that no longer finds him useful.

Vivid and dynamic, Frantic Assembly are best known for their thrilling, athletic and uncompromising physical theatre style. One of the UK’s best-loved theatre companies, in this visceral new stage adaptation, working in collaboration with Lemn Sissay, Frantic Assembly have taken Kafka’s powerful text of cruelty and kindness and reworked it into a vital and highly visual performance.

Directed by Scott Graham, designed by Jon Bausor, with video design by Ian William Galloway, music composed by Stefan Janik and sound design by Helen Skiera, the production will premiere at Theatre Royal Plymouth in September ahead of an extensive UK tour.

Of the show, Scott Graham told us, “I am absolutely buzzing to be collaborating with the wonderful Lemn Sissay. The potential of this project to spin physical and lyrical poetry around this classic story thrills me. This is a meeting of minds, ready to play and explore and find out what we can bring to this iconic title.”

A dynamic, unapologetic and thrilling contemporary theatre production.

Exploring the limitations of the body and the mind, of imagination and aspiration, expect an explosive combination of brooding design, atmospheric soundtrack and startling storytelling alongside the company’s signature physical-theatre interjections, Metamorphosis promises to be a dynamic, unapologetic and thrilling contemporary theatre production.