Metamorphosis as Hampstead’s JW3 hosts Kafka Fest

Hampstead’s JW3 hosts a festival celebrating the work of Franz Kafka later this month. The festival marks the centenary of the publication of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis with an exciting, international line-up of theatre, music, visual art and cinema.

Regarded as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, Kafka’s writing has left its mark on the work of figures such as David Cronenberg, Jean-Paul Sartre, Gabriel García Márquez and poet W H Auden, who proclaimed Kafka as “the Dante of the 20th century”.

Programme highlights include: Kafka & Son, an adaptation of Kafka’s never-delivered letter to his own father; Theatre of the Wandering West, the strange poetry of Kafka’s diary entries brought to life by Yiddish ballads, roaring Klezmer and hand-drawn illustrations; and an exclusive screening of the critically acclaimed Japanese production of Steven Berkoff’s Metamorphosis.

Kafka & Son (October 24/25)

A blistering, often hilarious, dissection of domestic authority, and a revelatory visit with one of the architects of the modern psyche. Kafka & Son features actor Alon Nashman, selected as Toronto’s number one theatre artist of 2008 by NOW magazine.

Metamorphosis (October 25)

An exclusive screening of the critically acclaimed 2009 Japan production of Steven Berkoff’s Metamorphosis.

Theatre of the Wandering West (October 25)

Kafka’s diary entries are brought to life by The Cabinet of Living Cinema. In 1911 Franz Kafka encountered a Yiddish theatre company who were travelling through Prague. He was mesmerised by actress, Millie Chissick, and recorded his impressions of her.

Theatre of the Wandering West depicts the actress’s journey with the travelling Yiddish theatre, including her encounter with Kafka.

There are also family events and exhibitions throughout the weekend.