Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis was originally written by Kafka as a novella in 1912, however in 1969 the play was adapted by Berkoff.
Set:
Berkoff's set design for Metamorphosis is very simple, it consists of three stools downstage centre and upstage centre is "Gregor's Cage" it is a simplistic set as in Berkovian theatre, Berkoff preferred for characters to use mime in order to tell a story.
The lighting was similarly very simplistic often being a white light with spotlights on different sections off the stage for example at points in Metamorphosis a spotlight shines on Gregor's Cage in order to draw the audiences attentions towards Gregor and away from the rest of the family.
The Context:
Social - after reading Kafka's novella Berkoff felt a relation to the ideas of repression from the novella. Berkoff, similar to Gregor, would have been classes as non-Aryan as he was Socially and Racially inferior. Berkoff had a difficult Relationship with his father and the relationship between Gregor and Mr Samza's reminded Berkoff of his own troubled past which further inspired him into rewriting the play.
Cultural - Berkoff was a Marxist, meaning he was in favour of a communist system in favour of the capitalist system which most likely inspired the theme of overworking the labour force etc. as being a Marxist Berkoff most likely examined the effect of capitalism on labour resulting in the idea of Gregor turning into a beetle as a result of the stress of a capitalist society.
Historical - Berkoff's adaptation was written in 1969, a period of social reform in England, for example the legalisation of homosexuality. Further, the activism that occurred during the 60s allowed people to feel as if they could express there more extreme views, which was great for Berkoff's controversial style of theatre.
Kafkaesque:
Kafkaesque is a style of literature which originated from and is named after Franz Kafka. The style refers to situations, experiences, or environments that are nightmarishly complex, bizarre, illogical, and often oppressive.