I have wanted to direct one of Steven Berkoff’s plays ever since my arrival at the U of S in 2006, but it never quite felt “the right time” – until now.  In each of his works, Berkoff is known to be highly stylized and expressionistic, with an emphasis on the body telling the story, while scenic and other elements play a supporting role.  Berkoff adapted several of Kafka’s works including Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Penal Colony, with Metamorphosis being performed under Berkoff’s direction several times, from its inception in 1969 to its 2010 production in Tokyo. It is almost as though Berkoff and Kafka were brothers in a former life given their mutual attraction to stories that highlight the surreal and the absurd.

 “Man is nothing but his profession” Franz Kafka

Metamorphosis highlights many themes including: identity; desire to revolt but constrained by familial duties; gender roles; mental health; and transformation. What really intrigued me about this play was the central premise associated with how one’s job defines who they are; or stated in the form of a question, is there more to life than our profession? Transformation is a part of life’s natural course; but at issue here is the degree to which one can consciously choose their own path as opposed to being forced – day in, and day out – to do something, anything, merely to survive.

For my part, it continues to be an immense pleasure to be able to direct so many of our students over the years as part of the Greystone season. What is more, without patrons such as you, this simply would not be possible. Thank you supporting the Department of Drama.

- Natasha Martina

A special thank you to Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and Production Lighting!