The endless nine to five can seem monotonous for many. People can feel trapped in an endless cycle with no hope of escaping. The dream of a new life becomes the fantasy that helps them get to the end of another lifeless day, with many living for the weekend: the one chance to escape. But what if that dream became a reality? Albeit an unexpected reality, it may be one that, in the Black Mirror style, makes you wish for the simpler times.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis focusses on businessman Gregor and his family as he works his disheartening job, only to wake up one morning to find he is rather ill. As we see the reactions of his colleagues and family, we see that Gregor’s unusual illness is a transformation that turns him painfully into an insect.

Unfortunately this retelling of Kafka’s story falls flat. Luke Hardwell’s detailed and extreme range of characters are unique and extravagant, reminiscent of a young Willem Defoe. But in this production, these characters feel jarring: as if they belong in another play. Adam Lloyd-James offers some impressive physical work and a solid performance, but it is the others around him that make Gregor’s struggles feel almost meaningless.

The only fight scene in the play was poorly executed, as it lacked an energy that would have made each blow convincing. While I feel it is better to be safe than to thrash actors every evening, some more work on this pivotal moment would have given it the emotional weight the scene desperately needed.

The one element I cannot criticise is the make-up and special effects. The grotesque and developing deformities given to Gregor were incredible. It did exactly what it needed to do, which is to show the hideous state of the character, and to help elevate the actor’s characterisation. As a heavy emphasis was placed on this aspect of the production, the bar was set very high, and Sarah Luscombe has very much met that.

In its current state, Metamorphosis feels like a work in progress. Some elements are very promising, while others need a lot of work. This is not a piece that can’t be saved, but as it is set to tour again at a later date, there is time for things to be fixed. With some directorial changes and an emphasis on keeping the text alive and convincing, this could be a metamorphosis that spawns an incredible show.   ★★☆☆☆     Jeremy Ulster   27^th February 2019