Theatre

Lear on fast forward

Nov 17 2006

Chester Chronicle

THERE were eight people, three musical instruments and a few props. Together they powered their way through King Lear, one of Shakespeare's most formidable plays, at the Chester Gateway on Monday. TNT Music Theatre gave us a severely pared down version of this tale of royal power and madness, family feuding and hate, vicious in-fighting and undeserved love. But they didn't shy away from the big scenes. So we had Lear's madness on the heath amidst the storm, a fascinating improvisation of drums, voices and wild banging of drapes. Gloucester's eyes were put out, triumphantly, by Deborah Klayman's strong Regan. Edgar (Robin Armstrong) and Edmund (Gareth Radcliffe) battled good against evil in a well-staged final duel. The important elements of this vast story came through in a well-paced production delivered in under three hours, quite an achievement! All credit to the versatile cast, several doubling, even trebling roles, as well as playing the music. Much rests on Lear though, and Anthony Pedley was outstanding in the role, especially in an excellent second half when he wrung every inch of pathos from the old king's madness and reconciliation with Augustina Seymour's gentle Cordelia.

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