Franz Kafka strongly objected to a depiction of the vermin from “The Metamorphosis”. In 1915 his novella was to be published by Kurt Wolff Verlag; a cover illustration was planned. “The insect itself cannot be drawn,” Kafka wrote to the publisher. “Not that, please don’t do that.” Now, in Kafka’s year – the writer died a hundred years ago at the age of 40 – when “The Metamorphosis” comes onto the stage, it is naturally difficult to avoid a representation. It’s more a question of which one you choose. The choice at the Regensburg Theater was very clear, avoiding any caution in dealing with the gifted writer. She fell for very weird, multi-eyed foam dolls.
Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” at the Theater Regensburg – Bavaria
