MELBOURNE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
REMOUNTED SEASON
King LEAR
With the easing of restrictions in Victoria from 11.59pm this evening, we are pleased to announce that we will be running a very limited season of 5 performances of King Lear from the 29th July - 1st August as well as a two week digital season from the 4th - 18th August.
Photographer: Chelsea Neate
We want to thank everyone for all of their support and patience over the last few months. As many of you know our production of King Lear has had to cancel 17 performances across the May/June and July lockdowns which has been extremely difficult for everyone involved, however the ongoing support we have received from our community has been incredible.
Reviews
" Evelyn Krape is majestic as Lear. 5 stars" - Arts Hub
"Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s production of King Lear is an intelligent and enjoyable interpretation of this classic." - theatrepeople
"Casting legendary Melbourne veteran Evelyn Krape in the title role is an inspired choice, both for the impact of seeing a female play the type of role that would once have only been written for a man but also for the sheer depth of her acting skills." - simonparrismaninchair
"I found Krape's strong performance as a person of power was not bound to gender, but to her skill and experience as an actor." - weekendnotes
Cinematographer, editor: Oscar Axel Thorborg
insta: @oscar.axel.t email: www.guerillacreative.tv
Producer
Artistic Director
Director
Set Designer
Stage Manager
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Costume Designer
Fight Director
Michael Mack
Jennifer Dean
Ayesha Gibson
Hayley James
Teri Steer
Alex Blackwell
Ben Keene
Aislinn Naughton
John Reed
King Lear
Cordelia
Goneril
Regan
France
Edmund
Fool
Cornwall
Edgar
Albany
Kent
Gloucester
Oswald
Evelyn Krape
Isabella Ferrer
Claire Nicholls
Annabelle Tudor
John Reed
Matthew Connell
Don Bridges
Johnathan Peck
Kayla Hamill
Augustin Tchantcho
Kevin Hopkins
Anthea Davis
Andrew Dang
Director
A Note from the Director Ayesha Gibson
Studying and editing King Lear in the midst of 2020 lockdowns and worldwide chaos was an interesting experience to say the least. I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the instability of a man determined to shun responsibilty but maintain his title and many of the most powerful people in the world. While they may not wear crowns and wield scepters there is a specific hierarchy and regality for our leaders today, hence Lear’s corporate motif - our new world order taken to its monarchal extreme. It has been a privilege to bring this world to life with an exceptional cast of actors, they have enriched this edit with their passion for the original text. I hope that their performances will show you that there is strength and softness in some of the most unexpected places, and that we must seek these out to survive the madness.
Q&A with Evelyn Krape
Why should people come see the show?
Why did you want to play King Lear?
What is your favourite scene from Lear?
Melbourne Shakespeare Studio
Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s moving contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy – King Lear is a tender, violent, and intimate exploration of old age portrayed in all its vulnerability, pride, folly and wisdom.
King Lear sees two ageing fathers – one King, one courtier – misjudge the loyalty of their children, catapulting them both into a violent power struggle that forces them to realise their false values and confront their own humanity.
Forget what you think you know about Melbourne Shakespeare Company this hard hitting, contemporary adaptation is the first in our new Melbourne Shakespeare Studio collection. These works are not family friendly and seek to explore some of the darker pieces from Shakespeare's repertoire. Under the direction of Ayesha Gibson, King Lear is a raw and relevant exploration of one of the greatest tragedies of all time.