Lear’s Shadow devised by Colin Hurley offers a superb one-man performance using only words from the Shakespeare play King Lear. All bar one which I failed to spot. Hurley doesn’t recreate the play yet by the end you are in no doubt as to what the King had endured through his own foolishness.

As the King descends into madness after the ultimate betrayal and despicable treatment by his two daughters with whom he shared his Kingdom. His third daughter refused to “flatter his ego” or how he perceived that she should have spoken to him. Lear cruelly banishes her and attacks her with a barrage of hurtful abuse.

Hurley whips up the powerful storm scene from the play with the help of his musical maestro, aka the audience. He uses tambourines and small shakers for recreation. Then Hurley proceeds to conduct the audience as he builds up to the crashes of thunder which echo within the auditorium.

Throughout the 70-minute performance, Hurley captivates and  “sniffs” around the famous play, repeating words to highlight some of the energy of the situation he has caused and to create an atmosphere. Which he successfully managed to achieve.  A life torn apart and left in tatters would be enough to send anyone into the despair of madness!

You don’t need to be familiar with the play King Lear to watch and appreciate the madness into which Hurley descends as Lear. Although I felt it was an advantage as the characters he refers to are already known to you and the backstory between himself and his three daughters.

For more information on Lear’s Shadow or future productions at Brockley Jack Theatre please use the link below.

Four Stars.

Jack Studio Theatre