Berkoff: Metamorphosis

The Second playwright we have to study as part of the A Level course is Steven Berkoff. When we first introduced to Berkoff we were given parts of the script to "Metamorphosis."

Summary:
Metamorphosis is a modern adaptation of Kafka's famous story. It is about a man named Gregor Samsa. He is the sole financial supporter for his family until he awakes one morning in the form of a giant dung beetle. He therefore, becomes a nuisance to his family as they try and have lodgers stay and struggle as they learn to rely on themselves. 

Lessons:
When we were first given the opening scene of the script, I didn't understand the play at all. However, when we discussed it as a class, I now understand that he became a dung beetle because as he was the sole provider for his family, he had a lot of weight on his shoulders. The similarity between Gregor and a dung beetle is that a dung beetle carries faeces wherever it goes and in a sense, Gregor is just the same. 

As I mentioned earlier, the first lesson we were introduced to Berkoff, we were given the opening scene to Metamorphosis. As a class, we were split into two groups of five. I worked with, Lisa, John, Aimee and Ellie. I played Mrs Samsa, Lisa played Mr Samsa, John, Gregor, Aimee, Greta and Ellie was not a character in the opening scene, so she helped direct us. 

Once we had practised and performed the opening scene, we were given the lodger scene to perform. We all played the same characters, however, Ellie was cast as all three lodgers. This scene was interesting to act out, as was the first scene. However, you learn in this scene why Gregor has become a dung beetle and the way people treat him, both as an insect and as a person in general.