Frantic Assembly bring Metamorphosis to the Lowry

Full tour dates have been announced for Frantic Assembly’s new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, a collaboration between internationally celebrated poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE and Frantic Assembly’s Artistic Director Scott Graham (Othello, Lovesong, Beautiful Burnout).   The new production will premiere at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 12th – 16th September 2023, before embarking on an extensive UK tour arriving at The Lowry, Salford from 14th – 18th November 2023.

Further creative team are also announced. Metamorphosis will be adapted by Lemn Sissay, directed by Scott Graham, designed by Jon Bausor, with video design by Ian William Galloway, music composed by Stefan Janik and sound design by Helen Skiera.  The associate director is David Gilbert, the casting director is Will Burton CDG and the producer is Kerry Whelan. More creatives to be announced soon.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis is a powerful and vital depiction of humans struggling within a system that crushes them under its heel.  Gregor Samsa finds himself transformed from bread winner into burden in this absurd and tragic story.  Frantic Assembly are renowned for their use of physicality and movement and Metamorphosis will be an inherently visceral production about the limitations of the body and the mind, of imagination and aspiration. All of this, coupled with the fluidity and lyricism of Lemn Sissay’s adaptation, promises an exciting and dynamic show.

Metamorphosis sits aside Frantic Assembly’s Othello as the second production in their Iconic strand of work. Iconic sees the company take on titles that bring with them so much history and baggage, love and opinion and create vital, thrilling contemporary theatre.

Metamorphosis is a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, Curve, MAST Mayflower Studios and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.  

Metamorphosis will be at The Lowry, Salford from 14th – 18th November. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com

Creative Team

Adapted by Lemn Sissay OBE

Director – Scott Graham

Designer – Jon Bausor

Video Designer – Ian William Galloway

Composer – Stefan Janik

Sound Designer – Helen Skiera

Associate Director – David Gilbert

Casting Director – Will Burton CDG

Award winning theatre company Frantic Assembly’s method of devising theatre has been impacting theatrical practice and unlocking the creative potential of future theatre-makers for over 25 years. One of the most exciting theatre companies in the UK, Frantic Assembly is led by Artistic Director and co-founder Scott Graham and Executive Director Kerry Whelan. It has toured extensively across Great Britain and worked in more than 40 countries internationally, collaborating with some of today’s most inspiring artists.

Frantic Assembly is currently studied as a leading contemporary theatre practitioner on five British and international academic syllabuses. The success of the company’s distinct approach has influenced contemporary theatre-making and foregrounded the use of movement directors and choreographers in new dramatic works. With a history of commissioning writers such as Simon Stephens, Abi Morgan, Bryony Lavery, Anna Jordan and Mark Ravenhill, the company has been acclaimed for its collaborative approach.

Frantic Assembly’s flagship initiative Ignition, a free nationwide talent development programme for young people aged 16-24, seeks out under-represented talent and provides opportunities for young people to discover what is possible, increasing involvement in and access to the arts in places of low cultural engagement.

Frantic Assembly productions include Othello (UK Tour), I Think We Are Alone (UK Tour), The Unreturning (UK Tour), Fatherland (Manchester International Festival 2017 and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre 2018), Things I Know To Be True (UK and Australia), Beautiful Burnout (UK, Australia, New Zealand and New York), Lovesong (UK and Australia) and The Believers. They are also the Movement Directors on the award-winning National Theatre of Great Britain, production The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (West End, Broadway, UK & International Tours). Television credits include Movement Direction on BAFTA winning British – American series Humans (AMC, Channel 4 & Kudos). Frantic Assembly is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England www.franticassembly.co.uk