Franz Kafka remains an iconic and influential literary figure since his death in 1924 at the age of 40. In fact, it was after his death that much of his most iconic works were published when his close friend and actor, Löwy, refused Kafka’s instruction to burn all of his unpublished writing once he died. As a result, the world has since been able to experience the true genius of a man who masterfully captures the human condition, existential dread and the chaos it all exists in. Kafka became a great influence of Theatre of the Absurd and even today, his influence and writing endures on stages around the globe.

In 1983, Jack Klaff wrote, devised and performed in Kafka, first presented at the Cheltenham Literary Festival to critical acclaim. In a four-week limited run at the Finborough Theatre, he is staging it again for the first time in 30 years to mark the 100th anniversary of Kafka’s death. Delving into the frenetic mind and life of the prolific writer, this one-man show includes somewhere around forty-nine characters (according to the programme as its impossible to keep up), which is a remarkable undertaking offering a worldwind tour of Kafka’s life and acquaintances in bitesize fragments. However, despite this attempt to understand the man, he remains a mystery, which one can only assume is the way Kafka would want it. During this exposition, we meet the likes of Orson Welles, Camus, Brecht and Einstein, lesser and unknown figures from literary, artistic and philosophical circles and of course, family and those closest to Kafka. In so many ways, the story that unwinds is fascinating yet completely unhinged.

As the show begins and the task Klaff has set himself becomes clear, the 90-minute marathon works through the plethora of characters within the first few minutes. Shifts between them come from subtle gestures and accent changes; some more successful than others. It is evident that Klaff has a passion and respect for Kafka that has allowed him to tap into his biography in a thorough way, however, it does feel like there is so much he wants to show us that many moments are lost to the next. The frenetic energy that Klaff moves with demonstrates an astonishing stamina, yet is largely breathless and in danger of overshadowing the sentiment of the work. It is for this reason, despite the fascinating tales told about those who knew the self-conscious writer, Prague and the times in which he existed, as a whole, it is difficult to know what the lasting impression of Kafka we are intended to be left with. 

Vocally, Klaff has the warmth and resonance of a seasoned performer and a presence that holds and although he struggles with consistency in the different accents he uses to signify particular people, this presence largely saves those moments. 

There are no props or set for that matter in the piece and physically, Klaff uses the whole space well, embodying many of the characters convincingly enough. However, the frenetic nature unfortunately means there is often a lack of grounding in moments that require more gravitas. This becomes clear because when Klaff allows more time to be given to sections that uncover more uncomfortable territory, such as Kafka’s sexuality and relationships. The power he is capable to extrude here is strong and is where we are able to learn something potentially new about the writer. Other more profound moments come from Klaff’s retelling of some of Kafka’s stories, particularly that of A Hunger Artist and Metamorphosis. There is obvious enjoyment for Klaff the actor here.

This is an interesting, ambitious and intellectual piece that largely holds its own, however, with the playwright also being the actor, the work feels that it might benefit with some distance from Klaff. Somehow, there seems to be too much at stake for the performer in this instance and not enough for the audience to experience through the text. 

Hopefully it will not be another 30 years between performances of Kafka, but, just in case, do make the time for it while you can.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Stephanie Osztreicher

Kafka plays at the Finborough Theatre until 6 July, with further info here.