A Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
KING LEAR
Directed by Michael Buffong. With Don Warrington.
- 1 April 2016 - 7 May 2016
- The Theatre
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Who is it that can tell me who I am?
In an ancient Britain bound by loyalty to the clan and the power of the sword, King Lear decides to give up his crown. As he divides the kingdom between his daughters, family ties disintegrate, order disappears and the land slides into chaos.
Shakespeare’s brutal portrait of one man’s unwinding sanity takes us from the heart of power to the cold and barren world of the outsider. It pitches Lear against his children, against nature and against the universe itself.
In Talawa’s 30th anniversary year, Michael Buffong and the company return to the Royal Exchange with Don Warrington following their groundbreaking production of All My Sons.
"This is an epic story of extremes in which families fight, tear each other apart and are pitted against the elements. It takes us back to an old world that’s searching for answers to questions about our very existence." Michael Buffong, Director
- Event Information
VENUE: The Theatre
PERFORMANCE DATES: Friday 1 April - Saturday 7 May 2016
PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Monday – Saturday evenings, 7pm
Thursday matinees, 2pm
Saturday matinees, 1.30pmExtra Performances:
Tuesday 19 April, 1pm (no 2pm performance that afternoon)
Sunday 24 April, 2.30pm
Sunday 1 May, 2.30pm
Thursday 5 May, 5pm (no 7pm performance that evening)TICKET PRICES:
Standard tickets from £16
Half price previews from £8.50
Banquette tickets £10BOOK TICKETS: Box Office 0161 833 9833 / online
RUNNING TIME: 3 Hours 35 minutes (including 20 minute interval)
- Creative Team
DIRECTOR Michael Buffong
DESIGNER Signe Beckmann
LIGHTING DESIGNER Johanna Town
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER Tayo Akinbode
MOVEMENT Coral Messam
FIGHT DIRECTOR Kevin McCurdy
- Related Events
After Show Discussion... KING LEAR
Wednesday 27 April 2016, following 7pm show
Tickets not needed. To book tickets for 7pm show click here.Our after show discussions are a chance to see the latest production in a whole new light. After the performance, members of the cast and creative team return to the stage to answer questions from the audience - why not join the discussion, ask your own questions and enjoy an insider's glimpse into the production process?
Between the Lines… KING LEAR
Wednesday 20 April 2016, 11am-1pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Between The Lines is our playreading and creative discussion group for everyone over 18, designed to accompany productions in the Theatre. At each session we choose a play that is connected in some way to the production, giving participants the chance to read a part, share their ideas and thoughts and gain a news perspective on the latest production. (Sessions do not require everyone to read aloud)
Introducing… KING LEAR
Thursday 28 April 2016, 10am-11.30am and Thursday 5 May 2016, 1pm-2.30pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session / £4 concessions
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 (individuals) or 0161 615 6702 (schools and groups) / online (28 April) online (5 May)
Introducings are pre-show, talk-based introductions to each play and production, for up to 100 people. Led from the stage by the Participation and Learning team, participants will meet actors and members of the creative team and learn all about the process of bringing the play to the stage. These sessions are suitable for groups, schools and individual audience members.Theatre Café… KING LEAR
Thurday 28 April 2016, 11.30am-1pm
Ticket prices: £3 per session and includes one hot drink
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Theatre Café is a chance to talk about the work we stage here, the state of British theatre and why we make theatre at all. At each session we pose a question that somehow links to the show currently in production. The session starts with informal table conversations over a hot drink, before the opportunity to take part in a wider group discussion when we will be joined by a theatre guest. This is a chance to meet new people, join the discussion and share your thoughts on what theatre is and should be.
Unlock… KING LEAR
Thursday 21 April 2016, 5pm-6.30pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Unlock workshops are for everyone over 18. These practical drama sessions are perfect for those who might be new to theatre or want to learn more about the play they are coming to see. At each session we use practical and creative activities to unlock the central ideas of the play currently in production.Wordplay... KING LEAR
Wednesday 6 April 2016, 11am - 1pm
Tickets prices: £6 per session
Book tickets: 0161 833 9833 / onlineWordplay Led by professional writers and theatre makers, Wordplay workshops draw on a selection of plays from our repertoire to gently introduce participants to creative writing, with an emphasis on writing for theatre. Each session explores a different aspect of playwriting, taking inspiration from the current Royal Exchange production.
- Accessible Performances
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: Saturday 30 April, 1.30pm
BSL PERFORMANCE: Wednesday 4 May, 7.00pm. Interpreter Jan Guest
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE: Friday 29 April, 7.00pm
Click here for more information about our accessible performances
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Goneril
Rakie Ayola
Edmund
Fraser Ayres
Duke of Burgundy
Rhys Bevan
Cornwall
Norman Bowman
Oswald
Thomas Coombes
Edgar
Alfred Enoch
Curan
Sam Glen
Earl of Kent
Wil Johnson
Regan
Debbie Korley
Cordelia
Pepter Lunkuse
King of France
Miles Mitchell
Old Woman
Sarah Quist
Albany
Mark Springer
King Lear
Don Warrington
Earl of Gloucester
Philip Whitchurch
The Fool
Miltos Yerolemou
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KING LEAR AUDIO FLYER
DON WARRINGTON IN CONVERSATION