Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis: The Musical

Sometimes, you don’t realise that you needed something until you have experienced it.  That encapsulates my thoughts on Metamorphosis: The Musical.  Yes, as you may have guessed, Kafka’s 1915 novella about the fate of poor Gregor Samsa has been given a fresh take by a pair of self-confessed “sock-wranglers”, Christian and Eric of Sockz Studio.  Yes, it's a musical. Yes, it is acted by socks.

And yes, it may not be quite what Kafka had in mind - but people have argued about Metamorphosis and how its meaning should be deciphered for over a century. I personally prefer the Nabokovian interpretation of the original. Rather than a deliberation on the psychological impact of a father complex, I see Metamorphosis as a metaphor for the artist's fight to survive in a society full of narrow-minded people who gradually undermine him.  And if you are a Kafka purist, you may well see The Musical as the final nail in that particular coffin.  And then some. 

However, if you don’t mind the classics being tampered with (or in this case, mauled, tickled, twisted and generally socked about) and you like a story told through song, then this is for you.  Personally, I place this right up there with A Muppet Christmas Carol.  It’s fun, frivolous, fabulous and it doesn’t mess with the source material to the extent of giving it a happy ending... Ah, well, maybe it does do that.  Yet still, however, nevertheless, don't you think it is about time that poor old Gregor Samsa had a little fun?

Watch the film below - it'll sock you out.