Written 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 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 brought this project to audiences across Toronto and around the world.

• TO Live: Lucretia in Quarantine

• SummerWorks: Kerri Wonders

• Canadian Stage: Nella at 86

Episode 1: Lucretia in Quarantine

Starring Bahia Watson

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.

Lucretia in Quarantine was originally presented by TO Live.

Special thanks to: Denis Alexis, Megan Alexis, Zoe Alexis, Nuala Bickersteth Manson, and Leena Sinha.

Episode 2: Kerri Wonders

Starring Becky Johnson

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…

Kerri Wonders was originally presented by the SummerWorks.

Episode 3: Nella at 86

Starring Diana Leblanc

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 and often acerbic octogenarian perspective, reveals itself as a beautiful and surprising assertion of life.

Nella at 86 was originally presented by Canadian Stage.

Special thanks to Verne Good