King Lear claims the South West

This Summer sees dynamic young company The Actor’s Wheel stride across the South West venues in their fourth regional tour. This year it’s King Lear.

As the world adjusts to a clinically framed ‘ageing epidemic ‘, Shakespeare’s masterpiece soars poignantly above others as the marked play for our time. Foolish parents, ungrateful children, the fear of madness, loneliness, division, feuds over borders and territories, this production has aching resonance and serves as a sharp reminder of how brief our journey is.

In a brave twist, and with a respectful nod to Glenda Jackson and the astounding Tamsin Greig this production is gender fluid from the outset. Lear is female, a single mother, parent, protagonist and perpetrator. Her household is populated by female knights and fools and the journey she takes is a perilous one.

This is the fourth year of the now very popular Actor’s Wheel regional tour, with the company visiting a range of venues as part of their training. Lead by industry professionals based at Plymouth Marjon University, this extraordinary training company has had resounding success in earlier years with The Tempest, Faustus and The Winter’s Tale.

Director Natasha Buckley told us “ it is a real delight to work with such an exciting company. Shakespeare is timeless and our young people are all dealing with these issues now…today… bringing a bold vibrancy to the work and it is our duty whether we are child, or parent, to witness and acknowledge “

TOUR INFORMATION

10-12 May 7:30pm

The Desmond Tutu Theatre
University of St Mark & St John – Plymouth
Tickets: www.marjon.ac.uk  E: kjohnson@marjon.ac.uk

24 May 7:30pm

Cygnet Theatre - Exeter
Tickets: www.cygnettheatre.co.uk  T: 01392 277189

25 May 7:30pm

Sterts Theatre – (near Liskeard)
Tickets: www.sterts.co.uk   T: 01579 362382

27 May 7:30pm

Barbican Theatre – Plymouth
Tickets: www.barbicantheatre.co.uk  T: 01752 267131