Season :
Wednesday 21 – Sunday 25 May 2025
Door Open 30 minutes prior to Performances
Duration : 45 minutes | NO Interval
Performances :
Wednesday 21 May 2025 @ 7:30pm
Thursday 22 May 2025 @ 7:30pm
Friday 23 May 2025 @ 7:30pm
Saturday 24 May 2025 @ 2:00pm : MATINEE
Saturday 24 May 2025 @ 7:30pm
Sunday 25 May 2025 @ 5:00pm
Tickets :
Full Price (Adult): $40
Concession / Student: $25
Group of 6: $200
Concession tickets are available for students, pensioners, and other eligible concession holders.
Group bookings offer a discounted rate for six attendees.
Kafka’s Monkey is a gripping one-person play starring Penny McDonald, directed by Jacob Golding. Based on Franz Kafka’s A Report to an Academy, it explores identity, captivity, and the cost of assimilation. Darkly humorous and thought-provoking, this powerful production challenges what it truly means to be human.
Kafka’s Monkey is a gripping, thought-provoking theatrical experience that dives deep into themes of identity, captivity, and the human condition. Starring the exceptional Penny McDonald and directed by Jacob Golding, this adaptation of Franz Kafka’s *A Report to an Academy* brings to life the haunting journey of Red Peter, a former ape who has been forced to evolve into human form.
Red Peter stands before an esteemed academy to deliver a report on his life. Once a free ape in the wild, he was captured, caged, and subjected to the expectations of a world that demanded his transformation. Through sheer will and relentless adaptation, he learned to speak, walk, and behave like a human—not for love of humanity, but to escape captivity. His monologue is a raw and layered exploration of survival, identity, and the loss of one’s true nature. Darkly humorous, unsettling, and deeply moving, his story compels audiences to reflect on the sacrifices made in the pursuit of acceptance and freedom.
This production of Kafka’s Monkey strips theatre down to its most powerful elements—storytelling, performance, and raw emotion. Penny McDonald delivers a masterful performance, embodying Red Peter with a physicality and presence that blurs the line between human and animal. Director Jacob Golding brings a fresh and intimate vision to the work, allowing the audience to feel every moment of Red Peter’s journey. The minimalist staging and evocative sound design heighten the intensity, creating an experience that is both immersive and confronting.
Kafka’s Monkey is more than a retelling of a Kafka story—it is a reflection of our world. Red Peter’s struggle speaks to anyone who has ever felt the pressure to conform, to change in order to survive, or to abandon their true self for the comfort of societal acceptance. The play raises questions that remain deeply relevant today: What does it truly mean to be human? How far will we go to fit into the expectations of others? Is freedom ever truly possible, or is it just another form of captivity?
This production is ideal for theatre lovers, Kafka enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to bold, thought-provoking storytelling. It is a must-see for those who appreciate performances that challenge perspectives and linger long after the curtain falls. At once unsettling and profound, Kafka’s Monkey is a theatrical event that demands attention. It will make you think, feel, and question the nature of humanity itself. Don’t miss this unforgettable production at the Peacock Theatre.
