York Theatre Royal welcomes Frantic Assembly back with a thrilling new adaptation of Kafka’s Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis at York Theatre Royal from 10 to 14 October.

Metamorphosis is an adaptation by Lemn Sissay OBE of Kafka’s famous story. A powerful and vital depiction of humans struggling within a system that crushes them under its heel. Gregor Samsa finds himself transformed from breadwinner into burden in this absurd and tragic story.  Frantic Assembly is renowned for its use of physicality and movement and Metamorphosis is an inherently visceral production about the limitations of the body and mind, imagination and aspiration.  

Frantic Assembly is delighted to share production images for its electrifying new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, a collaboration between BAFTA nominated poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE (author of bestselling book My Name Is Why and soon to be published new poetry collection Let the Light Pour In – published by Canongate on 21 September) and Frantic Assembly’s Artistic Director Scott Graham (Othello, Lovesong, Beautiful Burnout).

Metamorphosis is directed by Scott Graham, designed by Jon Bauser, composed by Stefan Janik, with lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, video design by Ian William Galloway, sound design by Helen Skiera, and costume design by Becky Gunstone, the associate director is David Gilbert and casting director is Will Burton CDG.  Metamorphosis is a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, Curve Leicester, MAST Mayflower Studios and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

Following their acclaimed performances as Iago, Roderigo and Bianca in Frantic Assembly’s recent sell-out tour of Othello, Joe Layton (Young Wallander, Netflix; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Marvel) plays the Chief Clerk/Lodger, Felipe Pacheco (The Responder, BBC; Brassic, Sky One) plays Gregor and Hannah Sinclair Robinson (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, UK and Ireland Tour; Rockets, Blue Lights, both National Theatre) plays Grete.  They are joined by Troy Glasgow (The Wife of Willesden, Kiln Theatre/Boston/NYC; A Streetcar Named Desire, Young Vic/ St Ann’s Warehouse NYC) as Mr Samsa and Louise Mai Newberry (Romeo and Juliet, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; All’s Well That Ends Well, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) who plays the role of Mrs Samsa. 

Listings Information

Metamorphosis

York Theatre Royal Main House

Dates of Performances:

Tues 10 Oct 7:30pm

Wed 11 Oct 7:30pm (post show discussion)

Thu 12 Oct 2:00pm

Thu 12 Oct 7:30pm

Fri 13 Oct 7:30pm

Sat 14 Oct 2:30pm

Sat 14 Oct 7:30pm

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

Age guidance: 14+

Content warnings: strong language

Box office 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk