Lear's Shadow

Fri 16 May 2025

Synopsis

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Devised and Performed by Colin Hurley

“Lie here and rest awhile”

A man in a dressing gown shuffles into the space carrying a box. Out of the box pour the objects, people, wrongs, jokes, mistakes, laughter and regrets that make up a life.

Over the next seventy minutes he is swept up by moments on the path that brought him here, to this great stage of fools.: the loss of three daughters, the loss of his knights, the loss of his fool, the loss of his wits… oh, and the storm. Don’t forget the storm. When The Rain Came.

“LEAR’S SHADOW” is a mischievous, engaging reflection on Shakespeare’s great domestic tragedy.

Content warning: this piece includes vivid representations of Very Poor Parenting

Age guidance: 15+
Running time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Show warnings: deaths (symbolic, non-literal) references to madness

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Reviews

a superb one-man performance… throughout the 70 minutes Hurley captivates

Theatre and Arts Review

…a surprising, irresistibly human and comic Lear

British Theatre Guide

…a tour de force. He engaged with the audience brilliantly… well worth watching

North West End

…a mad genius…

Audience Member

It is superb. If you like Shakespeare, or if you hate it, do yourselves a massive one and go and see this. It is illuminating, heartfelt and brilliant.

Audience Member

…funny, thoughtful, inspired, imaginative… I could go on.

Audience Member

It was brilliant, funny (very funny) cheeky, moving and stirring. A perfect cocktail.

Audience Member

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