The Metamorphosis
“MRRRRRRRRRRRr Samsa!” cries out the Chief Clerk and actress Sinazo Mqgobele, speaking through Gregor Samsa's closed door. He has missed work as a result of the terrible and sudden transformation of his body.
The Metamorphosis
“MRRRRRRRRRRRr Samsa!” cries out the Chief Clerk and actress Sinazo Mqgobele, speaking through Gregor Samsa's closed door. He has missed work as a result of the terrible and sudden transformation of his body.
His family is furious that he's jeopardising their financial position.
Greta, his sister, shows her horror through a series of horrified, severely exaggerated and hilarious facial expressions.
His father stomps around the house proclaiming his disappointment, loudly and forcefully.
The Diocesan School for Girls and St Andrew’s College performed ‘The Metamorphosis’ – an adaptation of Franz Kafka's novella by Steven Berkoff at the St Andrew's College Drill Hall.
The play is about travelling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who is the sole provider for his family.
Gregor wakes up one day to find himself transformed into an insect-like creature and his family becomes both repulsed and terrified of him.
Having three actors play one part – Gregor was played by three people, as were Greta, the mother and the father – was an interesting aspect.
'Each actor and actress playing the same part brought a new light to the character in question and helped the audience experience the full extent of each personality.
Gregor's family put him in isolation and when lodgers come to stay in the house, his family tries to conceal him. His sister, mother and father all refuse to take food to him because they don't know what to expect.
Although the play brings out deep and serious issues in society, including alienation, there are humorous aspects that had the audience erupting with laughter from time to time.
Greta and her mother’s facial expressions were one.
The six actors that played these two characters were able to maintain the most comical looks for seconds on end.
The play was directed by Wesley Deintje, who chose this play because it was a chance to challenge the students artistically.
The play had no props and the actors and actresses used their voices to create all the sound effects – like the opening of a door, for example.
Deintje said the play “stands outside from the norm”.
He said he felt it was a good idea to explore it further.
‘The Metamorphosis’ will be performed at the National Arts Festival, 2-12 July 2015.
