YMCA Theatre, Cardiff
Tues 31 Jan-Sat 4 Feb
words: KIRSTY ALLEN
The opening sirens of Act One’s new adaptation of King Lear herald the start of something very exciting for Cardiff University’s drama society. The ambitious adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy is set in a post apocalyptic Britain, ravaged by war and ripped apart by natural disasters, with ‘King’ Lear as the leader of a group of survivors. As a storm breaks over the city, the criminal gangs that rule it are torn apart by deceit, betrayal and madness in a production that puts street crime and violence centre stage.
With brutal, balaclava-clad fight scenes, a bass-heavy soundtrack by Cardiff-based DJ F-Block and a cast wardrobe straight out of {This Is England}, King Lear hits all the right notes from the moment the strobe lights go up, bringing a classic tragedy bang up-to-date. Even bits of parchment have been replaced with iphones. Straight off the back of the riots that ripped through London last summer, the production makes brave and bold moves to make Shakespeare un-nervingly relevant to student audiences and beyond.
The cast have definitely risen to the challenge when it comes to making things look as brutal as possible. A CCTV style video captures the gouging out of Gloucester’s eyes in a back alley, and the fight between embittered bastard son Edmund and his half brother Edgar made the audience visibly flinch before the final bullet flew. The brick walls of the stage are papered with missing posters, and tattered Union Jacks are testament to a long lost civilisation.
Special mentions must go to Lawrence Dixon’s ability to literally spit out Shakespeare, Oliver Ferriman’s electrifying take on Edgar’s madman and Ellie Hepworth’s abandoned child fool. Her music box soundtrack will follow your footsteps out of the theatre on to City Road.
The storm has already broken at the YMCA, so make sure you go and see it while you can. The forecast predicts it will be around ’til Saturday.
King Lear, YMCA Theatre, 31st January-4th Feb. Tickets: £6.50 (£6.00 NUS). Info: www.cardiffstudents.com.
