The Hunger Artist

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What is Art? And what does it mean to be an Artist?

Franz Kafka’s ‘Hunger Artist’ nourishes his soul the only way he knows how,
by starving himself, in his small, barred cage, before crowds of spectators, some admiring, some sneering and contemptuous.
Seeking acclaim for his craft and acceptance, validation and perhaps love from his audience, this is his ‘art’ and, though often torturous for him, he will stop at nothing in his pursuit of perfection.
This is Franz Kafka’s final work, he died on 3rd June 1924, and in this centenary year of his passing, we celebrate his life and work with this solo retelling of this dramatic short story.
Kafka was editing "A Hunger Artist" on his deathbed, a story whose composition he had begun before his own throat closed to the point that he himself could not take any more nourishment.

Actor: Jonathan Sidgwick (Eastenders, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, The Mousetrap – West End Tour)
Jon has worked several times for Steven Berkoff (Messiah at The Old Vic; Oedipus - Edinburgh Festival, Spoleto Festival, USA) and Steven has suggested this text for Jon’s debut Solo Show.
“I am very grateful to Steven for this and delighted to be returning to the Etcetera Theatre after playing John in Miss Julie here in 2014!”

(Please note: Mr. Berkoff is not directing this show, but has been extremely supportive in my efforts!)

Creating a Solo Show is anything but a solo effort and I am indebted and hugely grateful to the following:

Maureen Sidgwick, Sandy Weiss, Sioned Jones, Natasha Cobby, Ariella Eshed, John Melainey, Jeremy Clark, Georgia Watson, The Dangerosity Group & Glynne Steele, David William Bryan, London Actors Workshop, Training Day Role Play UK & Simon James Morgan, Northallerton Men’s Shed, The Etcetera Theatre, Sushant Nair, Valerie Colgan, my Agent Joanna Hole of Jo Hole Associates and, of course, Steven Berkoff.
Technician, Sound and Lighting & Programme Design: Sushant Nair
Photography: Simon James Morgan and Jeremy Clark
Soundscape: Sushant Nair and Natasha Cobby
Sponsorship: Training Day Roleplay UK
Rehearsals and guidance: Val Colgan & Natasha Cobby.