Franz Kafka was born in Prague in 1883, after his death fourty years later his novels have become some of the most influential and extensive work of the 20th century. We join this production as Kafka sits, poised to begin a fifty page letter to his overbearing father Hermann. This shouldnt bode well for an evening of entertaining theatre.However Alon Nashmans performance is spell-binding. The audience are taken through a physical tornado of story telling that recalls some of Kafkas most haunting, charming and moving memories. Even the obvious limitations of performing a one-man show are skilfully avoided, I genuinely didnt wish for another actor to appear once. Nashmans characters are funny, detailed and absolutely truthful.The whole production is flawless really; the set (Marysia Bucholc and Camellia Koo), the lights (Andrea Lundy) and the sound design (Darren Copeland) are worth the ticket price alone.Director Mark Cassidy has created something of real tangible beauty - it actually doesnt matter if you know nothing of Kafka or his writing simply sit back and enjoy. The attention to detail in the staging and stagecraft shown through Nashman is staggering.I cant stop thinking about this show.
