Thalian Theatre Group - Lear by Edward Bond

Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

WWW.THALIAN-THEATRE-GROUP.CO.UK
\| HOME \| NEXT PRODUCTION \| FAQs \| REVIEWS \| HISTORY \| ARCHIVE \| GALLERY \| GUESTBOOK: SIGN - VIEW \| LINKS \| CONTACT \|

The Greek goddess Thalia - the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry.

LIVE
THEATRE
LET IT
LIVE

Lear

by Edward Bond

Edward Bond's version of "LEAR" is brutal, chilling and darkly humorous.
It is a parallel of Shakespeare's play, rather than an adaptation and is set in a feudal world where rifles and electric lights co exist with medieval earthworks and warring Dukedoms.

Bond's "LEAR", like Shakespeare's, loses his kingdom and his reason before gaining true insight. However, Bond's "LEAR" is not a tragedy. Lear's journey may be splattered with scenes of graphic violence and torture, but the play's message is ultimately a hopeful one. Bond's "LEAR" finally achieves contact with reality and reason and as Bond says, "at death he begins to make a new life".

Cast
Lear...................................	Mike Betteridge
Fontanelle..........................	Gill Bernie
Duke of Cornwall..................	Tom King
Lear's Minister.....................	Nigel Shadforth
Bodise.................................	Olga Ruocco
Cordelia..............................	Jackie Webb
Susan................................	Penny Betteridge
Prison Doctor......................	Keith Chancer
Gravediggers boy...............	Ian Stewart
...............................	Bryan Eastty
The Carpenter.....................	Hector
Farmer's Wife........................	Lynn Vice
Various Soldiers...................	Mike Wells
Various Soldiers...................	Mathew Wilson
Various Soldiers..................	Boomer Jones
Various Soldiers...................	Mike Peart
Duke of the North..................	Mick Purdey

This epic and adventurous production, which has over 70 speaking parts designed to be played by just 21 actors, was directed by Ian Stewart.

This production ran from:
Wednesday 28th November - Saturday 1st December, 2001
at the Mirren Studio, Towngate Theatre, Basildon, Essex.

Click here to see 'behind the scenes' shots from rehearsals for 'Lear'.

Website design: Bix (V2. 2001-5) Optimized screen resolution: 800x600 All Content © 2000-2005 Thalian Theatre Group - WWW.THALIAN-THEATRE-GROUP.CO.UK