The Meta morphosis
On Tour Spring/Summer 2024
‘As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous insect.’
The Metamorphosis is a new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s classic story of a man whose society causes him to feel so isolated and worthless that he physically transforms into a giant insect. Kafka's Prague in 1915 was full of confusing bureaucracy, indecipherable rules and regulations and a host of reasons why Gregor should grow to consider himself utterly worthless. The busy, successful and popular inhabitants of this world serve only to show Gregor just how far removed he is from their status.
Today, our world is not so different. Our government and social structures have never been more complex, confusing, and... well, Kafkaesque. The world bustles along with little time or energy to notice those around us who may be struggling, and social media bombards us with images of perfect people with perfect lives, completely unattainable for most of us.
Gregor’s life is full of contradictions, confusion and reasons to feel inadequate. When he begins to suffer from an unusual health complaint which threatens to jeopardise his ability to function he finds that those around him are unable to offer any help or advice. Following his shocking metamorphosis he finally begins to realise what it means to be human. But is it too late? As his mind adapts to his new life Gregor grows ever more distant from the world, and his family begin to undergo their own transformations.
Franz Kafka's story of a misfit trying to adapt to his busy world is as relevant now as it ever was. This new adaptation explores the many aspects of modern life which conspire to isolate us from each other, and what it is about being human which brings us closer together.
Kim Gjersøe
Gregor Samsa
Emily Huxter
Greta Samsa, The Manager, The Customer, The Cleaner, The Woman on the Train
Andrew Carn
Mr Samsa, The Doctor, The Lodger, Mr Francis
Kim comes from an academic background, having taken an MA in Philosophy and English from Roskilde University in Denmark, working first as an English teacher.
He always courted the theatrical arts, having attended a drama school before his academic years, but it was not until he moved to the UK that he started working in earnest as an actor.
Here he started working in voice-over during the pandemic, learning how to produce audiobooks and audio dramas, while also honing his skills on the international scene. Since then he has worked in the commercial sector (for Muller and Swytch among others), theatre and film in the UK.
He has also dipped his toe into tour guiding, giving regular tours around London and enjoys writing gritty epic Fantasy fiction in his spare time.
Emily is an actor and musical director who trained on the Actor Musician BA at the Guildford School of Acting. She also trained in dance and musical theatre at Emil Dale Academy and Kingsclere Performing Arts.
Since leaving GSA she has performed in the West End concert production of The Witches of Eastwick (Sondheim Theatre), played piano for Ed: The Sketch Show Musical (Canal Cafe Theatre), and Musical Directed Spring Awakening at Cambridge University (ADC Theatre).
At the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 she performed the leading role in award winning musical On Your Bike (Best Musical 2021 at the Edinburgh Fringe), alongside its critically acclaimed sister show Jingle Street. She reprised her role in the Warsaw run of On Your Bike. She then performed a solo children's show at Audley End Miniature Railway's Christmas event, and has musical directed Les Miserables with Sawston Youth Drama.
Emily is excited to branch out of the musical theatre world and take on a challenging dramatic role.
Andrew has recently been seen on the London Stage as The Duke in The Revengers Tragedy, and as Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
So it is with great excitement he takes on multiple roles in The Metamorphosis, as it almost reflects his own changing characters throughout the performance.
He has toured UK & Internationally, including:
Berger in Hair, Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar & Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
He has written for and performed theatre, radio, TV and film.
He is currently artistic director of The Dirt-Bike Apostles, a troubadour of guerrilla actors.
Please contact Simon at office@mildperiltheatre.co.uk for touring information and availability.
