Kafka's Dick
Written by Alan Bennett
Directed by Tom Barber
Pateley Playhouse is well known locally for its fantastic, sold-out performances and Kafka's Dick is no exception. When it comes to Alan Bennett plays you can't really go wrong, with Kafka's Dick being one of his lesser-known plays. The story begins with Sydney and his wife Linda discussing the life of Franz Kafka, a 20th Century novelist from Prague. Sydney is in the process of writing an article all about him.
Sydney and Linda
Suddenly, after a knock at the door they find themselves with Kafka's best friend Max Brod standing in their living room, despite him having died in 1968.
Max Brod appears
A short time later he is joined by Kafka himself and with no explanation as to how the dead keep materialising Sydney finds himself in a unique position to ask questions directly to the man himself.
Sydney and Kafka discuss
However, Kafka has no idea how he has affected the literary world and believes himself to be a unknown. After all, his best friend Max fulfilled his dying wish of burning all his manuscripts. Didn't he? As Kafka begins to realise the legacy he's left behind, Sydney begins to question whether his hero has been worth looking up to, especially as his abusive father (also deceased) arrives to give his side of the story.
Directed by Tom Barber this play is funny and somewhat bizarre, a play where half the cast are dead is not necessarily what you'd expect from Alan Bennett, but it's well worth a watch.
Olivis Skipsey-Collinson as Linda
With a cast of just 6, relative new-comer to the playhouse Olivia Skipsey-Collinson plays Linda excellently. As the only female character she is often overlooked and Skipsey-Collinson does a great job of ensuring Linda is noticed.
Hugh Cawley as Herman is mean to Kafka
Hugh Cawley, playing Kafaka's father Herman, Kafka shows his diversity and willingness to take on a variety of roles and comes across as genuinely unlikeable, which is a testament to his acting abilities.
Herman appears as God
His costume change at the end will be a surprise to everyone.
Peter Buller as Father
Playhouse veteran Peter Buller is excellent and believable as Father, the elderly father of Sydney who along with the audience is just trying to keep up with what's going on. Having seen Peter in a variety of roles over the years he never fails to give his all to whatever role he plays.
Rae Joynson as Kafka
The rest of the cast are also great and work well together. Rae Joynson plays Kafka. She is clearly comfortable on the stage and will be well-known to Playhouse regulars and is great in every role.
Keith Burton as Sydney
Keith Burton is another familiar face at Pateley Playhouse. Whether he's directing or acting he's sure to do a great job, this time playing Sydney, taking on the role of someone who could be viewed as quite dull and oblivious to his wife’s unhappiness. Keith once again shows his skills.
Steve Rouse as Max Brod
Steve Rouse also plays a real person, Max Brod, Kafka's best friend and someone who was well known in his own right. Steve has a great stage presence and is another cast member who will be recognised from his previous work at the playhouse.
The Set
With a great set built specifically for the show, you can see how much hard work and preparation has gone into it by all the team including Stage Manager Justin Enthoven. The attention to detail is great with colour coordinated books from props team Joyce Liggins and Moira Siara. With wardrobe from Ruth Dodsworth and team which represent both the early 1900s and modern day. Sue Hickson, Tom Barber and Steve Hunt have done a superb job with sound and lighting for scene transitions and welcoming in characters ‘from the other side’ – including a rare use of dry ice at the Playhouse! Barber does a great job as director really bringing the cast together resulting in an excellent production which once again showcases the talent of Pateley Playhouse.
Review by Katie Goldsbrough
Photographs by Chris Iredale