Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
onTuesday 13th to Saturday 17th February 2007
Review from the Hampshire Chronicle
The Maskers' presentation of Shakespeare's King Lear at the Nuffield Theatre was a compact, dynamic performance -- no easy accomplishment considering the tortuousness of the plot and the length of the original play. The uncut version (almost never performed today) last about five hours; the Maskers two and a half hours had a shape and momentum for which the director, Ken Hann, must be congratulated. Especially effective was the original music by Chris Hann and the simple, effective grandeur of John Hamon's set.
In a cast which gave much subtlety of portrayal and in which there was no perceptible weak link, it is difficult to select individual performances for comment. John Souter's towering performance as Lear deserves the highest praise -- his painful descent from omnipotence to madness touchingly marked with quiet intervals of self-recognition as he watches his own disintegration.
Rarely can the blinding of Gloucester have been so effectively managed. Dispensing altogether with the customary chair, Ken Hann has Cornwall and his henchmen committing their barbaric act with all the viciousness of modern day street thuggery. From this moment on, the figure of Philip de Grouchy's Gloucester haunts the memory with its pathos.
Other memories remain: the oily obsequiousness of Brian Stansbridge's treacherous Oswald; the sustained grif of the tall, hooded figure of Alan Watson's Kent; the wonderfully balletic feigned madness of Rob Praine's "Poor Tom". And again, above all, the sheer momentum of the whole play.
Review in The Southern Evening Echo 13th February 2007
On a richly-hued and subtly-lit set, the tragedy of King Lear, his family and his court was played out to a packed and supportive opening-night audience.
In the title role, John Souter commanded the play from the outset, changing from imperious monarch to raging madman as his family betrays him and his kingdom is fragmented and attacked - particularly moving was the scene of reconciliation between Lear and his youngest daughter Cordelia (a sensitive Rachel Courage). A confident and superbly-costumed company brought deception, treachery and betrayal, played out against a backdrop of thunder and lightning, vividly to the stage. Rob Praine as Edgar stood out as the wronged son of the loyal Earl of Gloucester, while Matt Avery brought superb presence and clarity to the role of the devious Edmond. This is a production that will mature and develop - catch it before its run ends on Saturday
The Cast | |
Lear, King of Britain | John Souter |
Gonerill, his daughter | Maria Head |
Regan, his daughter | Sarah Spencer |
Cordelia, his daughter | Rachael Courage |
The Duke of Albany, husband to Goneril | Ian Morley |
The Duke of Cornwall, husband to Regan | Steve Clark |
The Earl of Gloucester, | Philip de Grouchy |
Edgar, his eldest son | Rob Praine |
Edmond, his bastard son | Matt Avery |
The Earl of Kent | Alan Watson |
Fool, in Lear's service | Graham Buchanan |
The King of France | Adam Taussik |
The Duke of Burgundy, suitor for Cordelia | David Collis |
Oswald, Gonerill's steward | Brian Stansbridge |
Old Man, in Gloucester's service | David Collis |
Captain | Adam Taussik |
Messenger | Joanna Iacovou |
Knights, attendants and servants | Adam Taussik, David Collis |
Production Team | |
Director | Ken Hann |
Assistant to the Director | Avril Woodward |
Production Manager | Graham Buchanan |
Assistant Production Manager | Joanna Iacovou |
Stage Manager | Kathryn Salmon |
Assistant Stage Manager | David Jupp |
Lighting Design | Clive Weeks |
Lighting Operation | David Illsey |
Sound Design | Geoff Grandy |
Sound Operation | Geoff Grandy, Sarah-Jane Wareham |
Properties | Gill Buchanan, Ella Lockett, Alison Tebutt |
Costume Design | Kay Hann |
Seamstresses | Helen Officer, Christine Baker, Jane Weeks, Enid Mulholland, Kay Hann |
Set Design | John Hamon |
Set Construction | David Jupp, Graham Buchanan, John Hamon |
Stage Crew | Jonny Hearn, Jamie McCarthy, David Fancett Geoff Cook, Ben Sillifant, Shaun Moncaster, Carl Wyett |
Marketing | Angela Stansbridge |
Publicity Design | John Hamon |
Music composed and performed by | Chris Hann |
Vocals | Dom Meacher |
Logo and Programme Design | John Hamon |
Photography | Clive Weeks |
Make up advice | Lara Duncan |
Make up | Moyra Allen |
Front of House Coordinator | Julia Jupp |
click on a photo to enlarge it