Sunday Arts Magazine

19 May 2021

Melbourne Shakespeare Company.

Uncategorized

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After dazzling audiences across Melbourne for more than 30 years Evelyn Krape (Ginger, A Toast to Melba) takes on her most challenging role yet as the formidable King Lear in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s new production directed by emerging prodigy Ayesha Gibson (Romeo and Juliet).

“It’s an incredible fusion of old meets new” explained artistic director Jennifer Sarah Dean (The Globe – London) “ Evelyn brings so much wisdom, power and experience to the role which amalgamates perfectly with Ayesha’s fresh contemporary vision for the piece. The combination is electric!”

Presented at the intimate fortyfivedownstairs King Lear is a tender, violent, and intimate exploration of old age portrayed in all its vulnerability, pride, folly and wisdom. The multiple Green Room award winning actor will take on one of the greatest roles in literature for a limited run of just 10 performances.

Krape will be supported by a formidable ensemble including Kevin Hopkins (Twelfth Night) as Kent, Don Bridges (As You Like It) as Fool, Augustin Tchantcho (Book of Morman, Othello) as Albany and Anthea Davies (A Room of One’s Own) as Gloucester. Audience favourite Matthew Connell (Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet) will return for his third season with the company as the bastard son Edmund, and introducing Isabella Ferrer as Cordelia.

Sound design from Ben Keene (The Rapture) transports us to the dystopian world within this play is set and the business inspired costume design from Aislinn Naughton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) perfectly captures the corporate world where warring siblings fight for power in an desperate race to the bottom.