At the age of 36, Franz Kafka was still living at home, a petty bureaucrat, a failed artist and a timid Jewish son. Ruling and ruining his life was his overbearing father, Hermann.

Kafka wrote a 50-page letter to his father that was never delivered but has now been adapted into a new play, Kafka and Son.

The blistering and often hilarious dissection of the relationship between Kafka and his father delves into the psyche of one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.

Actor Alon Nashman, 54, selected as Toronto’s number one theatre artist of 2008 by NOW Magazine, takes on the lead role, directed by Mark Cassidy at Ilford’s Kenneth More Theatre.

Nashman said: “It’s a pretty radical piece of theatre.

“In the course of looking at his life with his father, Kafka reveals the details of his upbringing and the struggles he faces.

“There is no other piece of his writing that is as autobiographical.

“The root of the play is an odd love story in which two men reach out for each other, trying to gain affection, approval, and love.”

The play features music by Osvaldo Golijov and is produced by Richard Jordan, who won an Olivier Award last year for Roadkill.

Nashman, who is visiting Ilford for the first time for the show, said: “I can learn a lot about a place based on how the people react to the show. There are some audiences that side with the son and some that side with the father who has the difficulty of raising a sensitive [child].”

Performed as part of the J Fest Festival 2013, the show has travelled with acclaim across Canada and is at the Kenneth More Theatre in Oakfield Road, Ilford, on Monday at 8pm.

Tickets are £12.50.

To book call the box office on 020 8553 4466.