Metamorphosis (2020-2022)
Adapted by Matthew Lention
after the story by Franz Kafka
Venue: International Touring
Company: Vanishing Point
Director: Matthew Lenton
Designer: Kenneth Macleod
Photos: Mihaela Bodlovic
Metamorphosis opened at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow in March 2020, but was closed after only 4 performances due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. It was revived in 2021 in an Italian language version - Metamorfosi - and presented on a short Italian tour as part of the VIE Festival. It returned to Scotland in spring 2022 for a Scottish tour.
Metamorphosis was nominated for Best Design at the 2020 Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland.
Press Quotes
a look somewhere between domestic realism and hallucinatory fantasy, Gregor’s bedroom descending into chaos yet seeming pristine in the mysterious reflection above. Simon Wilkinson’s strip lights snake across the set, flashing bright white before plunging us into a frightening dark.
Mark Fisher, The Guardian
simultaneously bleak and beautiful. The screen separating Gregor’s room (front stage) from the family living room is blacked out or made transparent, according to the production’s requirements, by superb lighting designer Simon Wilkinson.
Mark Brown, The Sunday Herald
Simon Wilkinson’s woozy lighting coming together with the insinuating sound design, composed by Mark Melville, to create a vision that is unnerving without ever feeling strained.
Allan Radcliffe, The Times
Kenneth MacLeod’s stark but sleek set illuminated by slashes of Simon Wilkinson’s lighting design
Neil Cooper, The Herald
Superb and haunting lighting and sound by Simon Wilkinson and Mark Melville complete the impact of this consummate piece of theatrical poetry.
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Thanks to the brilliance of Kenneth MacLeod’s set design and Simon Wilkinson extraordinary lighting, the universally excellent supporting cast is often seen through a dream-like haze.
Mark Brown, The National
