A fresh adaptation of Franz Kafka’s “disquieting tale of transformation” Metamorphosis is to start a UK tour at the Old Rep, Birmingham.
It will be presented by the Old Rep in association with Bath-based Beyond the Horizon which “aims to present a brand of live performance beyond what audiences are used to seeing, creating dynamic productions driven by emotive stories and using high-quality effects”.
Kafka’s most famous story of a man who inexplicably finds himself transformed into a beetle will be staged in a modern-day setting and told with “stunning” visuals provided by TV and film make-up artist Sarah Luscombe.
Beyond the Horizon’s founder and artistic director Adam Lloyd-James said, “Kafka’s Metamorphosis has always been a personal favourite of mine, and it’s particularly relevant these days with mental health issues on the rise. Sarah’s make-up adds a whole new dimension to it. The make-up is terrifying. The story is superb.”
The cast comprises Ellie Ekers, Luke Hardwell, Mike Harley, Liz Hume and Adam Lloyd-James. Matilda Dickinson and Lloyd-James direct. Lighting design is by Joe Samuels and sound design is by Finn MacNeil. Composer is Pasha Finn. Fight directors are Russell Eccleston and Tiffany Rhodes.
Metamorphosis runs at the Old Rep from Tuesday 26 February until Thursday 9 May (press night Wednesday 27 February). It then tours to Lincoln Drill Hall, Frome’s Merlin Theatre, Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre at Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, Luton’s Library Theatre, Exeter Phoenix, Strode Theatre in Somerset and Winchester’s Theatre Royal on 8 and 9 May.