Listen at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079lydd
When better than now to make a drama about "the division of the kingdom"? A new production of Shakespeare's great tragedy with a Scottish cast headed by Ian McDiarmid as Lear and Bill Paterson as Gloucester.
Lear is a very old king with a dynastic problem: three daughters and no sons. In dividing the kingdom between his children, Lear's reasoning is admirable: he wants to hand over the kingdom to his daughters so that "future strife / May be prevented now." But in doing so he sets in train a chain of events that lead to madness, self-discovery and the disintegration of the kingdom.
Music performed by Polly Phillips (bassoon) and Georgina McGrath (double bass)
Music and Sound Design by Gary C Newman.
Credits
|
Role |
Contributor |
|
Writer |
William Shakespeare |
|
King Lear |
Ian McDiarmid |
|
Goneril |
Madeleine Worrall |
|
Regan |
Frances Grey |
|
Cordelia |
Joanna Vanderham |
|
Kent |
Michael Nardone |
|
Gloucester |
Bill Paterson |
|
Edgar |
Finn den Hertog |
|
Edmund |
Paul Higgins |
|
The Fool |
Brian Vernel |
|
Albany |
Steven Robertson |
|
Cornwall |
Steven Cree |
|
Oswald |
Owen Whitelaw |
|
Burgundy/Doctor |
Sean Murray |
|
King of France |
Simon Harrison |
|
Old Man/Gentleman |
Ewan Bailey |
|
Producer |
Gaynor Macfarlane |
|
Director |
Gaynor Macfarlane |