Lyric Hammersmith Presents METAMORPHOSIS, Jan 17-Feb 9

100 years after the story was originally written, David Farr and Gísli Örn Garðarsson's spectacular reinvention of a literary masterpiece, Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, returns to the Lyric Hammersmith for a limited time following sell-out runs in 2006 and 2008.

Metamorphosis is the quintessential Kafka tale; a grotesque and poignant mixture of absurdity and pain, conjured with exhilarating physicality and lyrical poignancy, incorporating a haunting original score by world-renowned musician and lyricist Nick Cave and long time collaborator Warren Ellis, and a visually stunning split-level set by designer Börkur Jónsson (The Return of Ulysses, Young Vic/ENO; Electric Hotel, Fuel/Sadler's Wells), for which he received a 2006 Evening Standard Award nomination.

Gregor Samsa awakes one morning to discover he has been transformed into a monstrous insect. As initial reactions of revulsion turn to sympathy and then resentment, Gregor's metamorphosis turns the unremarkable life of the Samsa family upside down.

Franz Kafka is one of the most influential and prescient writers of the last century. Virtually unknown in his lifetime, his unique body of work has come to be synonymous with the alienation of the individual in modern society. Friend and writer Max Brod defied Kafka's wishes to burn all his writing after his death and published a wealth of mostly unfinished novels and letters, cementing Kafka's reputation as a remarkable voice in contemporary literature. As well as Metamorphosis, his other works include Amerika, A Report to an Academy and The Trial.

David Farr is a director and playwright and former Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith. His adaptations Tamburlaine and The UN Inspector played at the Barbican and The National Theatre respectively and his numerous productions for the RSC, where he is Associate Director, include The Homecoming, Silence and Jonathan Slinger's forthcoming Hamlet. He has also written for the screen, where his work includes the feature film Hanna and several episodes of the BBC series Spooks.

Icelandic actor and director Gísli Örn Garðarsson's acclaimed company Vesturport has previously presented exhilarating versions of Romeo and Juliet and Faust at the Young Vic, and Woyzeck at the Barbican, the first of which received a West End transfer in 2004 and all of which have played to audiences around the world. As an actor, he has appeared in the feature film Prince of Persia, and performed in several productions by Emma Rice's renowned Kneehigh company including the lead role in Don John (RSC/tour).

Adapted and directed by David Farr and Gísli Örn Garðarsson. Designed by Börkur Jónsson. Music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Lighting by Björn Helgason. Original lighting by Hartley T Kemp. Sound by Nick Manning. Costume design by Brenda Murphy.

The production runs Thursday 17 January - Saturday 09 February 2013. Evenings 7.30pm, matinee 2.30pm (Sat 09 Feb). Tickets £12.50 - £35. Bookings 020 8741 6850 / www.lyric.co.uk.

Accessible performances: Open Captioned Thursday 07 February 7.30pm; Audio Described Saturday 09 February 7.30pm.

As part of the Lyric Hammersmith's aim to further engage with the community, anyone who lives or works in Hammersmith and Fulham can claim two free tickets to see Metamorphosis on Thursday 17 January at 7.30pm. They just need to come to the Ticket Office with proof of their home or work address, on either the Friday or Saturday before the performance to pick up their free tickets.

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