King Lear

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“Connal Morrison’s “ King Lear” in early 1988 was the last such production at George Square Theatre. It overspent its budget heavily, which led to E.U.T.C. enforcing financial liability on producers who overspent the budgets they had been allocated.No student producer since then has risked a George Square run”

Edinburgh’s Bedlam Theatre p.10

“King Lear” is arguably Shakespeare’s greatest play. Certainly it is one of his most demanding, both in terms of acting and production. For any theatre company however well resourced, even contemplating its production might best be done in a darkened room and under medical supervision. The production which I saw at the George Square Theatre was undoubtedly one which could only have enhanced the growing reputation of E.U.T.C. at this time. There were indeed ‘ Many good things in it so much so that to single out any particular scene or performance would be nothing other than trivial and invidious’. The production certainly had very many fine aspects to it, particularly the interpretation and acting involved.

The sense with which one left the Theatre was that above all the world of “ King Lear” had a grim integrity, in which those things that were dark were illumined with the light of hope, while those things that seemed light were darkened with despair. Connal Morrison’s direction was very clearly influenced by the theories of Peter Brook and the practice of Tyrone Guthrie. While these are no bad influences to be under, one sometimes sensed a cast, and perhaps also a director, straining against the shackles these influences seemed at times to have imposed.

If one was to be censorious of any aspect of this production, it would be the lighting, which at times resembled nothing so awful as a rather bad low - budget science fiction film of the late 1950’s. Otherwise, the achievement remained remarkable, and a fine example of ensemble work. But Bridget Webster deserves particular mention for managing to achieve variety and harmony in an endless sea of grey costumes.

Edinburgh’s Bedlam Theatre p.22

apparently had a cast of 35

Sat 23rd - 50p
Wed 27th - no perf.
Thurs 28 - Charity perf (Children’s Holiday Venture)