Review: LEAR ALONE (abridged from King Lear by William Shakespeare) - for Crisis / Available online

‘Pared down, dishevelled, naked ... this production moved me’ ★★★★★

To say that King Lear has been adapted many times would be one of the great understatements. The King is a complex character found looking back upon his life as he suffers major humiliations, in one of Shakespeare’s most analysed plays, lending opportunity for many interpretations.

I watched acting legend Ian McKellen take on the crown in London’s West End a few years ago, prior to going on his UK birthday tour performance of his own life and every Shakespearean role he ever did to fundraise for UK theatre. 

This production, Lear Alone, performed by EDMUND DEHN is a fundraiser for something even more basic and necessary: the right to a place to live. Co-produced by Crisis and funded by Arts Council England, Lear Alone takes on the humbled King’s words and his words alone. 

Yet there is another character that speaks volumes though silently. The entire filming of the production takes place with London locations as a backdrop. And the excellent direction and production, by ANTHONY SHRUBSALL and CHARLES TETON respectively, don’t waste the opportunity.  

This is not easy viewing. The ending, as ever, is the peak to a mountain of suffering. No wonder over the centuries, there have been adaptations which changed the play’s closure to provide a bit of happiness. Not here. This production remains true to the Bard’s original plans. Despite the clever placement of Lear in London, it does not make light of the narrative.

I imagine if there were no cameras around DEHN, on-lookers would have seen only a crazy old man, mumbling to himself, at times raging, while living on the streets, and would go on with their day. However, the intensity with which DEHN stares at the camera at times, you feel he’s speaking directly to you, imploring you, admonishing you. It is devastating. If ever you could feel the plight of the homeless, the destitute, the suffering pierce your heart, it is here. As Lear says in the first episode (of five) “nothing can be made out of nothing”. And you sense it as a thread throughout. 

A special shout out must go to ZELIDA GORDON for the gorgeous and haunting musical interlude.

So, yet another adaptation. And yet, one like never before. 

When I watched Ian McKellan as King Lear, I was impressed by the grandeur, the production, the performance. This one moved me: pared down, dishevelled, naked. 

Like Lear himself. With the grandeur of London ever present.

If there’s ever a time we should support digital theatre, it is now. And it is this. 

Long Live Lear. May he live forever.

All five 10-minute episodes available free to view here: https://www.andtomorrow.co.uk/index.php/current-shows 

Donate to Crisis here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/and-tomorrow-theatre-company 

Performed by Edmund Dehn

Directed by Anthony Shrubsall

Cinematography, Sound Recording & Editing by Charles Teton

Music by Zelida Gordon

Reviewer: Mariam Mathew is an alumnus of Guardian critic Mark Fisher’s theatre criticism course and an aspiring playwright.