King Lear 1992

Performed by LSC in the Chapel, Edward King House,

16th - 19th December 1992

Director: Nigel Pope

Assistant Directors: Karen Harrison and Simon Clark

Music: Rick Alliwell and Nikki-Kate Heyes

Cast

Lear, King of Britain: Simon Clark

Goneril: Karen Harrison

Regan: Jo Clark

Cordelia: Jo Smith

Earl of Gloucester: Nigel Pope

Edmund: Ben Poole

Edgar: Simon Hollingworth

Duke of Albany: Richard Jones

Duke of Cornwall / Soldier: Dave CLayton

Oswald / France / Soldier: Peter Rixham

Earl of Kent: John Marshall

Lear's Fool / Doctor / Messenger: Liz Lucas

Servant of Cornwall / Soldier: Andy Mayer

King Lear decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, promising the lion's share to the one who loves him the most. Goneril and Regan wax lyrical on the subject, but Cordelia merely says she loves him as a daughter. This bald answer compared to the flattery of his other daughters throws Lear into a rage which sets the tragedy in motion. Lear banishes Cordelia, and a faithful retainer who speaks up on her behalf, and she marries the King of France who will take her with no dowry. The country is then divided between the remaining daughters and their husbands. Power soon reveals their true colours as Goneril and then Regan insult and abuse their father, goading him into madness at the self realisation of his foolish mistakes and his daughters' cruelty. Cordelia and France invade England in an attempt to restore Lear to power but are defeated. After a brief reconciliation, Cordelia is hanged and Lear dies of grief, unaware that Goneril has murdered Regan and taken her own life. Lear's tragedy is compared to that of Gloucester whose illegitimate son, Edmund persuades him that his legitimate half brother Edgar is plotting against his father's life. Edgar flees and goes into hiding disguised as a poor lunatic, whilst Edmund uses his wiles to attract the corrupt Goneril and Regan to gain power, using their jealousies against them. Edgar and his father are reconciled when the son finds his father on the verge of suicide and now blinded through Edmund's treachery. Gloucester dies of a broken heart and Edmund challenges Edgar to a duel and kills him.

"I remember having to cover myself in mud every night to play Edgar in King Lear and always missing last orders because it took me so long to wash it off. Also during a particularly violent scene on the first night, I received a shiner of a black eye from Ben Poole, who was rather aptly playing Edmund, my bastard half-brother!"

Simon Hollingworth, 'Edgar'.

"An exciting and atmospheric production...good performances all round"

Nick Milton, Linchpin, December 1992