Kafka's Metamorphosis: The Musical! With Puppets!

A very interesting show with humour and poignant moments, great use of the puppets (I think the broom and the beetle count as puppets) both a grandfather and granddaughter thoroughly enjoyed it.
10/10 very slay

Simply put, this is wonderful. The singing and props are on point. One minute you're laughing, then next you're on the verge of tears. Beautiful. You must see this!

This musical hit me just the right way and I had so many tears + a deeper understanding for poor Kafka because of this show. They did a really good job of pacing the comedic with the sincerely heartfelt emotions throughout the work. A lot of artistic soul went into this production and I would love to see what they can do with a bigger budget! High recommendation.

Heart-wrenching. Gut-wrenching. A slow burn that is beautiful, funny, and weird - which is what Kafka would have wanted. (Or wouldn't have wanted? Whatever.) I'm a huge Kafka fan and I loved it.

A fantastically fringe-y show. Not appropriate for kids. Truly delightful.

Only downside: Venue was one the worst I attended. Someone in our row was trying to leave due to an emergency mid-show and was trapped, both figuratively because of the show happening but also literally because the chairs/people were packed in so tight. The venue needs to remove a couple rows of chairs in the interest of safety.
That's not this show's fault, but the venue still needs that feedback.

We bought tickets for this play based on its unlikely combination of Kafka, music, and puppets. Our group included both those who had read Kafka and those who had not. All four of us, however, thought this show was a highlight of the Fringe. The closest thing I can describe (and admittedly, it's not very close) is the musical "Dear Evan Hansen."

If you haven't read Kafka, it's perfectly OK. The novella "Metamorphosis" is set largely as Kafka's own home was. The protagonist, Gregor Samsa, awakens to find that he has been turned into some kind of giant insect (the book is deliberately unclear) and it goes on from there.

This show is cleverly written with a talented singing cast and engaging (or in some cases less engaging) characters. This is unlike just about anything else you will see, but wonderfully done and well worth attending. You'll be able to tell your smart friends about it for years.

Some shows you recommend for the storytelling. Others you recommend for performance, music, and sheer conviction. I think this is the second kind. Most easily described as a speculative bio-revue of Kafka's life intermixed with a musicalization of his most famous work, with a neurotic puppet as maitre'd. The show launches with zany dark humor, then gradually shifts towards drama, which I suspect is more rewarding to those who *guilty look* actually read The Metamorphosis.

Not every moment felt fully earned, but there's so much surreal verve to the whole thing (not to mention performing talent on display) that it's worth a visit.

If you are a fan of Franz Kafka, this show is heaven. Well, as close as you can get to heaven when it comes to Franz Kafka. Clever, surprisingly respectful and utterly brilliant. If you haven't encountered Franz Kafka, all you need to know if that he was a very dark writer and you'll find the musical utterly insane and completely brilliant. Exactly the sort of show you should see at the Fringe!

An extremely well crafted and hilarious telling of Kafka’s life and the Metamorphosis with unexpected beauty and emotion!

Great show. Very quirky and fringe, funny and sad. Catch it if you can.

Do not miss this show! Four incredibly talented actors, puppets, and live musicians manage to make you laugh and cry at the same time. You do not need to know the stories of Franz Kafka to fall in love with him and the show. Definitely my Fringe favorite!

Wierd, wonderful, brilliant.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the strongest (and strangest) musicals you will find in Edinburgh this year.

A cast made from some of America's finest performers tell the story of Franz Kafka's life through his story of Metamorphosis. Everything from the direction, to the writing, the singing and acting was top tier. Everything felt so slick and carefully thought through.

Also worth noting the incredible audience interaction and how beautifully the performers guide you through the story.

I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who wants to add a little zany musical mayhem to their EdFringe experience.

A mad approach to telling this story but with a story this mad what can you expect? The songs were strong, reminiscent more of 'next 2 normal' than 'Avenue Q' at times. The story moves along at a brisk pace and everyone gets a chance to get their flowers. If you don't like musicals, puppets, or your relationship with your dad see this show: it will amend at least two of those

Beautifully entwines Kafka's life with his book Metamorphosis. The songs are good, the singing is wonderful, the theme is thought-provoking, and the use of prose is fantastic! 5-star from a theatre kid.

I didn’t really know what to expect but this was both a delight and a surprise from start to finish. Four very talented actors (and a variety of clever puppets) tell a rather strange story and keep you riveted throughout. It was so great to hear a live band in such a small venue. Highly recommended!

Probably one of the best shows I’ve seen at fringe this year (and I’ve seen 30 so far lol). Super fun and creative. Beautiful staging and puppetry. I’ve never read any kafka but that didn’t matter at all. Highly highly highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a great fringe experience

Going back to see this a second time. Loved every bit of it—it made me laugh and then brought me to tears, with loads of cleverness along the way. Thoroughly entertaining the whole time! Whatever you’re expecting based on the title, it’s likely different…in the best possible way.

shocked me how good this was, would recommend to anyone, the perfect mixture of funny and serious and had me at multiple points laughing out loud.

wouldn't be surprised to see this in much larger theaters soon as it deserves.

Having so far seen 17 shows, this is my second favorite so far and I highly recommend it. A very intriguing musical of 4 people and a puppet, that blended Metamorphosis with aspects of Kafka's life. I admit, although it was entertaining and had comic moments, it made me tear up. Solid performances and relatively simple but effective staging. See it!

What a hoot. Not an obvious choice of subject for a musical but this was very good. 4 stars from me.

A very clever and creative production! The combination of fiction and biography really worked and the exploration of the relationship between Kafka and his father was so tragic and moving. A weird and wonderful musical!

Outstanding show, wasn't sure what to expect but had a fantastic time - the numbers were great and the performers mined some great comedy out of the subject matter, there was real heart in the performance. All the performers were great and sung amazingly, but in particular I really enjoyed the voice and vocal performance of the 'mother'

Funny dark comedy. Laughed way more at Kafka and Gregor's misery than I expected. The lead has a phenomenal singing voice!

For me, it was the best show of the Fringe 2024. Fantastic performances with genuinely moving original music. The ending had 3 of us in tears, including myself and I'm not a crier!! Highly recommended.

What a great show. Go see this if you have the time. You won’t be disappointed. We throughly enjoyed it . Well done.

Make time for this one! As funny as it is heartbreaking, and truly absurd. I loved every second of it. Top talent here!

Thoughtful, stimulating and FUN. And NOT for children surprisingly enough! Everyone on and off-stage was excellent. Wonderful songs music and lyrics. A charismatic cast piece that really draws you in. Wonderful.