REVIEW | Frantic Assembly: Metamorphosis, Curve Theatre, Leicester
★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Katie
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
One of Franz Kafka’s best-known works, Metamorphosis tells the story of salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himself inexplicably transformed into an insect. It carries a strong commentary of social circumstance and burden, and feels aptly connected to our current climate in the cost of living crisis, making you step back and re-evaluate your own position.
With both Frantic Assembly themselves, and Metamorphosis as a text being widely studied across educational contexts, it is no surprise that the theatre was packed with students and their notepads, however something tells me if this wasn’t the case, the audience may be significantly dwindling in The Curve’s main auditorium.
Over 100 years old, this play needed a bit of a shake up and modernisation, and Lemn Sissay does well to bring it forward into a lyrically dynamic text, alongside the expert direction of Scott Graham, but unfortunately I couldn’t help but think that this was the wrong show for Frantic to take on. Somehow it lacked the vigour of a recognisable Frantic Assembly show, and didn’t leave enough room for their usual experimentation, perhaps because the play itself is already experimental enough.
As always, the production was bursting with Frantic Assembly’s celebrated physicality and beautifully intricate choreography, which helped to develop our understanding of the family dynamic during Act 1, where the brave choice was made to only have the actual metamorphosis (the major plot point) take place at the very end. However, there were moments where these sequences felt out of place and disconnected, and although the talented cast of five did well to elicit stunning visuals, the story felt a little stuck in these places.
Undoubtedly, Felipe Pacheco carried the show in the lead role of Gregor, and his remarkably visceral portrayal gave us a haunting connection to the character and his emotional journey. Jon Bausor’s dysmorphic set was wonderfully crafted to create a playground of opportunities for Pacheco to work with, allowing circus-like stunts and disappearing trickery that supersized the absurdity of the show. The talent of this actor cannot be over-stated, and I was really rooting for his character under the weight of his consuming inadequacy and turmoil.
I also enjoyed the varied use of projection and lighting throughout, which highlighted some of the key themes and allowed us to see the subtle (and drastic) transformations taking shape, without being cheesy. I think this was a crucial element of the show that added to that abstract depiction.
Although visually outstanding, the show grapples a bit too much with how to balance the nature of physical theatre with the well known novel. “Beggars can’t be choosers” is the mantra of Gregor’s father, and I can’t help but think the application is relevant here - come and see the incredible Frantic Assembly, but unfortunately, you are watching them do Metamorphosis. That is not to say I do not still hugely admire the company, and I will certainly be looking forward to what their next show brings.