Director Michael G Williamson 'Striving to better, oft we mar what's well' 'The Tragedy of King Lear' is generally regarded as Shakespeare's greatest play, written at the height of his powers, and has been described as one of the most profound of all artistic explorations of the human condition. A play that is most deeply concerned with matters of fundamental human importance; with breakdowns in family relationships; with the effect on the human mind of both mental and physical suffering and with what distinguishes man from the animals. The history of the play has been an erratic one. Originally performed with Richard Burbage in the title role and most probably Robert Armin as the Fool, it was later felt to be unactable. Judging from the records of performances the play generally seems to have been less popular that either Hamlet or Othello but it continued to be performed in roughly its original form until the notorious adaption by Nahum Tate in 1681 which was to become a part of theatrical history. Of course, there were many 'improved' versions of Shakespeare after the Restoration but Tate's was probably the most significant because it completely changed the ending giving Cordelia a happy future with a heroic Edgar who had earlier saved her from attempted rape and hanging. The final moral that 'truth and virtue shall succeed' was completely at variance with Shakespeare's original concept but nevertheless Tate's version continued to enjoy popularity for the next 150 years. Twentieth century productions of King Lear have been much more faithful to the original text and have continued to find relevant contemporary themes to emphasis. We are very excited to be presenting 'The Tragedy of King Lear' for the first time at 'The George'. We hope that our audiences will enjoy this vibrant and dramatic masterpiece in the kind of setting in which it would originally have been performed.  

Cast

LEAR, KING OF BRITAIN Kerry O'Connell GONERILL, HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER Lindsey Brown REGAN, HIS SECOND DAUGHTER Lena Bell CORDELIA, HIS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER Victoria Watson DUKE OF ALBANY, HUSBAND OF GONERILL Charles Looker DUKE OF CORNWALL, HUSBAND OF REGAN John Shippey KING OF FRANCE, SUITORS OF CORDELIA Brian Perrett DUKE OF BURGUNDY Jonathan Brown EARL OF KENT Adrian Rigelsford EARL OF GLOUCESTER Michael Storey EDGAR, HIS SON Bob Pugh EDMUND, HIS BASTARD SON Sandy Miller FOOL, TO KING LEAR Dominic Whitehead OSWALD, STEWARD TO GONERILL Brian Williams 1ST KNIGHT Philip Collins 2ND KNIGHT Dave Brewer CURAN Peter Hughes DOCTOR Willie Wilson OFFICER Peter Barton CAPTAIN Bob Kretowicz LADIES/WOMEN SERVANTS Noeline Spridgen, Sarah Green, Julie Worrall, Liz Snowden Knights of Lear's train, servants, soldiers, attendants, gentlemen and heralds played by members of the Company  

Production Team

Director Michael G Williamson Asst Director Tony Gaskell Stage Manager Claire Goovaerts Asst Stage Manager Tanzy Lee Stage Team Karen Buckley, Denise Jones, Matthew Redman, Douglas Cooper, John Morgan, Maureen Yule, Dee Worwald, Tina Miller Stage Construction Nigel Callaghan & Team Set Design Colin Chalk Poster Design Andrew Goold Costume Design Wendy Usher Musical Arrangement and Direction David Marshall Continuity Vivienne Dyer Fight Arranger Bob Pugh Photographs Simon Ellis ABIPP AMPA Lighting Design Andy Kendon Lighting Team Roger Blackmore, Malcolm Lyons, Mel Pugsley, Andy Kendon, Darryl Flemming Sound Design Gerry Davison Sound Technicians Pat Hamilton, Graeme Hammond, Jamie Wilson Wardrobe Team Wendy Usher, Mo Pearce, Rosemary Eaton Make-Up Jan Sheppeard, Kathy Williams & Team Design & Construction of crowns and coronets Robin Wilson Properties Rachel Greaves Publicity Martine Peulevé & Team Box Office Cheryl Cook, Michael Cook Front of House & Sales Adam Greaves, Trish James assisted by Committee Members and Friends Music by The Troubadours Valerie Marshall, John Mallett, Lee Gillett and David Marshall