So, I am to play the role of Joseph K in STAMP Theatre’s upcoming production of Steven Berkoff’s The Trial. Having just read through the script I am concerned as to how I will portray such a naturalistic character in what is such a surreal world. It will be a difficult process and I worry that he may become lost in the fray of flamboyance that will be occurring on stage. But then maybe that is Berkoff’s intention; that K becomes lost within the law itself as he aims to find out what he is accused of. On the surface it is difficult to find any form of beginning for K. He seems like a man who is stuck in an empty life which consists of sleep, work and the occasional fling with Elsa. Joseph K seems to me to be an everyman who has no ego, and in the end does not succeed in his quest, ‘Man cannot live without a lasting trust of something indestructible within himself’ (Berkoff 988, p. 11). Joseph K does not have this belief and in my first reading, I perceived this to be the reason why the play unfolds in such a manner.
Berkoff states in the preface to the play that ‘The Trial is my life. It is anyone’s trial. It is the trial of actually creating the production‘ (1998, p. 5). Perhaps I will be able to understand the character of Joseph K as this process develops and I begin my own trial of morphing Joseph K into a real character.
Work Cited.
Berkoff, S. (1988) The Trial, Metamorphosis, In The Penal Colony, London: Guernsey Press Co. Ltd.
I agree with Alex, although from reading this post to your last post, what an amazing journey you have had with the character!
I think your performance showed this – he is the anchor for the audience into the world of The Trial, but he obviously becomes more affected by his absurd situation as the narrative progresses. I personally think you played this gradual breakdown really well!