Metamorphosis - A Viral Trilogy
Three fictional audio diaries by André Alexis
Photo: Carlos de Toro
Metamorphosis is a trilogy of fictional audio diaries by internationally acclaimed, multiple award-winning novelist André Alexis.
Metamorphosis charts the progress of a fictional global pandemic in Canada’s largest city through three fictional diaries. These audio-journals - from a 13-year old girl (Lucretia); a 30-year-old woman (Kerri); and an 86-year old senior (Nella) - are funny, intimate, and often fantastical.
Each diary runs about 30-35 minutes.
For the full impact of the sound and music, they are best listened to through headphones.
Metamorphosis is Volcano’s first 100% digital project. Three partner organizations are bringing this project to audiences across Toronto and around the world. Over three weeks, each partner is premiering one episode according to this schedule:
TO Live: Lucretia in Quarantine – August 17, 2020
SummerWorks: Kerri Wonders – August 24, 2020
Canadian Stage: Nella at 86 – August 31, 2020
The three presenting partners, as well as Volcano, will carry all three episodes once the complete trilogy has premiered.
Photo: Nick Fewings
Episode 3: Nella at 86
Presented by Canadian Stage
In Nella at 86, a senior citizen living in a long-term care facility slowly learns of a more-than-run-of-the-mill virus making itself felt across the planet. As a person in her late 80s, Nella is no stranger to loss, and, in fact, is well equipped to reckon with it.
As this new global pandemic begins to take its toll, though, she begins to grow lighter – realizing she can not only deal with what is coming, but can embrace it. Her diary, with its clear-sighted octogenarian perspective, slowly reveals itself as a beautiful assertion of life.
Special thanks to Verne Good
Content Warning: This episode involves frank discussion of suicide among seniors. If you’ve been affected by suicidal thoughts, or would like to talk through such issues, help is available. Here’s where:
Crisis Services Canada
Phone: 1-833-456-4566 (available 25/7/365)
SMS / Text: 45645
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
Lifeline Chat USA
Phone: 1-800-273-8255
Samaritans UK
Phone: 116 123
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org (response time 24 hours)
Photo: Burst
Episode 2: Kerri Wonders
In Kerri Wonders, a self-described, and avowedly “average” 30-year old woman is offered a tiny pill on the street as a years-long quarantine is lifted, and a global pandemic comes to an end. In an uncharacteristic moment of abandon – she buys the pill and swallows it.
At first, she thinks it’s a prank. But over the following days, Kerri begins to undergo some truly transformative and, for her, extremely alarming changes. As her diary continues, Kerri must decide what to do with her brand new self in this brand new world…
Photo: Quentin Bounias
Episode 1: Lucretia in Quarantine
Lucretia in Quarantine provides a portrait of Lucretia – a thirteen-year-old contending with how to care for her seven-year-old sister, who, in turn, has decided to adopt a baby raccoon.
In the middle of a deadly global pandemic, these two children attempt to create a life with no parents. Both funny and moving, Lucretia’s diary beautifully explores loneliness, love and family in a time of extremity.
creative team
