THE works of Franz Kafka I are not the most obvious material for translation to the stage, but his story Metamorphosis has been successfully adapted, notably by Steven Berkoff. Liz Keller has now provided another version, called Trickle Me Dry, in a production which gets much, if not all, of the pathos and resonance of the original.

Here the main character is Maggie, a young sales rep who carries her family on her exploited shoulders - a monster mother, ineffectual father and self centred brother. She wakes one morning to find herself changed into a giant insect, unable to leave her room or communicate with her kin. Henceforth she is a prisoner at their mercy, the quality of which is very strained indeed.

All kinds of parallels may be drawn between Maggie's plight and the tensions within family and society. The great depth of Kafka's work is that it transcends time and, place, a journey into the interior. This adaptation tends, in speech and characterisations, towards the topical, which diminishes its impact; but it still provides food for thought and much entertainment.

Tee best thing about it is the performance of the author as Maggie, a physical portrayal which persuades and engages. Other characters are stereotyped and come across mainly as a support team. Alice Barry's mother, Ross O'Corrain's brother, John Hanamy's father and Shaun Laverty in a neat double fill their roles with some conviction. Marcus Costello's set design makes the most of the space's facilities and Cathy O'Carroll directs for the Wrench Theatre Company.