'Lear Inc.' to perform at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Posted: 10/06/2015

Are you in Edinburgh this Summer? You might want to drop by and catch Bromsgrove School's modern day adaptation of King Lear.

‘Lear Inc.’ marks Bromsgrove School’s debut production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. First performed in the Drama Studio back in September 2014 to high acclaim, ‘Lear Inc.’ plunges Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘King Lear’ into the digital age. The modern adaptation charts the downfall of proud media industry giant, Regina Lear. On the brink of retirement, she foolishly lets pride blind her and anger overcome her. She divides her empire between her conniving daughters, Goneril and Regan, and neglects the true love and loyalty of her youngest daughter, Cordelia, banishing her from sight. Meanwhile, an illegitimate scheming son, Edmund, will stop at nothing to undermine his brother, Edgar, and prevent his father from seeing the truth, at any cost. Lust for power and bitterness breed corruption and cruelty; ‘Lear Inc.’ follows the destruction and madness to the play’s tragic conclusion.

With a female Lear, and no Fool, there are immediate shocks to be experienced for Bard-lovers; this production explores the maternal bond and the psychological damage caused when daughters push mothers to their limit. With powerful moments of physical theatre, ‘Lear Inc.’ looks to bring the stale medieval dynasty into the twenty-first century. The adaptation delves into the power of the media, and the lengths individuals will go to succeed in business, leaving marriages, relationships – even lives – in their wake.

Directed and adapted by teachers Tracey James and Lucy McKee, choreography was explored and devised through workshops with pupils to create this bold re-imagining of ‘King Lear’. Members of the cast have been working hard to raise funds in order to ensure that the trip is viable, organising and participating in events such as Carol Singing in December and a successful evening of Improvisational Comedy in April. Pupils have also been working on ideas for marketing the show, in order to sell as many tickets as possible. Should you wish to come and see ‘Lear Inc.’, the production is being performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 17th to 22nd August 2015, at theSpace @ Venue 45, at 2.10pm.