Lemn Sissay and Frantic Assembly to collaborate on Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis’

The play is at Lyric Hammersmith in spring 2024.

The theatre company Frantic Assembly will collaborate with Lemn Sissay on a new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. As part of the show’s nationwide tour, Metamorphosis is at Lyric Hammersmith from 1 February - 2 Mar. 2024.

The Metamorphosis play follows Gregor Samsa, a man who finds himself with a burdenful life as he realises the sociopolitical system no longer exists to serve him. In press material, Metamorphosis: “is about the limitations of the body and the mind, of our imagination and aspiration. It has such a rich and intense physicality that extends far beyond one character’s sudden transformation.”

The poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay will work on the play. “Frantic Assembly is the theatre of movement," said Sissay.

"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...”,

Scott Graham directs Metamorphosis, with casting and a further creative team to be announced.

Metamorphosis is at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

Photo credit: Metamorphosis artwork (Photo by Perou and Paul Reardon at Peter and Paul)