From page to the stage Frantic Assembly’s The Metamorphosis plays at the Hammersmith Theatre

Frantic Assembly will be taking Franz Kafka’s novel The Metamorphosis from page to the stage next year in a powerful reimagining of the canonistic and symbolic story of one man’s transformation into an insect.

Kafka’s novel draws on themes of hardship and alienation and depicts the vulnerability of a man who is crushed under the heel of a system that no longer finds him useful.

The play, created in collaboration with poet Lemn Sissay, will head to London’s Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from February 1- March 2, 2024.

Mr Sissay said: “This will be my second adaptation after Benjamin Zephaniah’s Refugee Boy in 2013. “Words make movement, words precede movement and words (spoken or written) are movement.

“Frantic Assembly is the theatre of movement. My aim is to move the audience and to be moved. Metamorphosis is iconic.

“I am nervous, like an olympian, a long distance runner, the starting gun has fired, dust plumes beneath my feet, the end is a long way away. I pace myself, I focus and I concentrate.”

Director Scott Graham said: “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.”

Website: Metamorphosis | Frantic Assembly

Picture: Lemn Sissay – Picture: @IShotTheWorld