Ben Frost to score and direct new stage version of The Wasp Factory

Experimental composer and noisemaker Ben Frost has announced details of a forceful new take on Iain Banks’ storming 1984 novel. 

The Wasp Factory – a troubling, frequently violent account of a damaged teenager growing up on a remote Scottish island – remains one of the most audacious literary debuts of its time. It’s evidently struck a chord with Frost, whose output for the likes of Room40 and Bedroom Community is similarly furious, visceral and, on occasion, prurient.

As The Wire report, the Australian is to direct a new stage adaptation of the novel, set to be performed in Austria, Germany and the UK. Frost will also provide a (typically punishing) score, with David Pountney handling the libretto.

The Wasp Factory will play at Austria’s Bregenz Festival from August 1-3, and will transfer to Berlin’s HAU Theatre from September 26-28. Its final stop will be a seven-night run at London’s Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre from October 2-8.

Head here for further information about the project. Frost has extensive experience in composing for the theatre, having worked director Falk Richter and soundtracked a number of contemporary dance pieces. His last album was 2011’s Sólaris, produced in collaboration with Daniel Bjarnason; an extract is available to stream below.

Banks passed away last month following a battle with cancer. He was 59.