King Lear has ruled for a lifetime. He has plans for succession – the Kingdom is to be shared among his three daughters. But when he is challenged, Lear’s reaction unravels his family and ultimately the country, hurling him into a storm of rage, self-discovery, and perhaps even acceptance.
Is this Shakespeare’s great exploration of ‘filial ingratitude’? Or the sad tale of an old man in decline and the terrible choices forced upon his daughters? Is it the story of an appallingly entitled and selfish king? Or a daughter too naïve and proud to compromise for an ailing father? It is about all these things, and more. Shakespeare’s epic of the imagination, performed in the profoundly intimate setting of The Neilson Nutshell.
For the first time since 2010, Bell Shakespeare presents King Lear. Directed by Peter Evans and starring one of Australia’s finest classical actors Robert Menzies, this heart-wrenching new production promises to be powerful and utterly unforgettable.
Robert Menzies is one of this country’s great classical actors. For Bell Shakespeare he has given us the fatherly, sensitive yet politic Polonius in Hamlet, and the poetic, philosophical but tough-minded Friar in Romeo and Juliet. Robert’s career spans four decades working on some of the great productions in our theatre history. We are thrilled to present his powerful, brilliant and entirely unique performance of Lear.
2hr 30min (incl. interval)
14th June, 2024
20th July, 2024
Ages 15+
GETTING TO THE VENUE Pier 2/3 is a heritage listed finger wharf in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Steeped in Sydney’s industrial history, Pier 2/3 is part of a landmark project by the NSW Government to rejuvenate Walsh Bay into a cultural and creative hub.
BY BUS: Hickson Road is serviced by the 324 and 325 bus service or the 311 to Millers Point.
WALK or CYCLE: Pedestrian and cycle paths service Walsh Bay Arts Precinct from Barangaroo to Circular Quay. It is a brisk 15-20 minute walk from Circular Quay and Wynyard transport hubs.
DRIVING: Metered parking is available on Hickson Road and paid off-street parking can be found at 26 Hickson Road (Interpark) and at the corner of Towns Place and Hickson Road (Wilsons).
Director: Peter Evans
Designer: Anna Tregloan
Composer & Sound Designer: Max Lyandvert
Lighting Designer: Benjamin Cisterne
CAST
King Lear: __Robert Menzies __
Regan: Tamara Lee Bailey
Albany: Shameer Birges
Oswald: Jeremi Campese
Cordelia/Fool: Melissa Kahraman
Edgar/France: Alex King
Gloucester: James Lugton
Goneril: Lizzie Schebesta
Cornwall: Michael Wahr
Kent: Janine Watson
Ensemble/Understudy: Brittany Santariga and James Thomasson
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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