Such a title for a show could lead to the obvious questions: why? Who asked for this? But you might be surprised what a show with such a ridiculous premise could achieve; this production takes Kafka’s deeply distressing schizophrenic masterpiece, The Metamorphosis, and makes it silly. You’re transported into Kafka’s lonely, tortured personal life and the absurd verminous predicament of Gregor Samsa by Kafka the puppet and an energetic cast… in full song and dance. The show merges elements of Kafka’s personal life with his legendary novella – this is wise considering how personal much of Kafka’s work was and helps to bring some emotional heft to proceedings.
The musical numbers are a pleasure and comprise the show’s finest moments; juxtaposing the levity of hearty voices singing silly lyrics with Kafka’s paranoia is, at times, very funny. Portraying Kafka as a lonely, angsty little puppet is also a stroke of genius. The cast’s singing is faultless, they manage to project their voices throughout the venue in perfect pitch and synchronisation. However, due to so much time being devoted to the whimsical, some of the terror and desperation of Kafka’s work is lost, and when it’s time to bring the Samsas’ and Kafka’s bleak tales to their startling conclusions, the poignancy it attempts doesn’t feel altogether earned.
Because precious little of the exposition in Kafka’s novella is used in this adaptation, it may be difficult to fully grasp the plot and themes without first reading The Metamorphosis – so some homework is required for this one. But if you like Kafka and you like musicals, you’ll find it a delight.
Kafka’s Metamorphosis: The Musical! With Puppets!, 13.30, Pleasance Dome, Until August 26
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/kafka-s-metamorphosis-the-musical-with-puppets
