King Lear in performance.

During a series of ten acting workshops we shall explore key scenes and speeches in the tragedy of King Lear, as though we were actors beginning to work on the play in a rehearsal space. The focus will be on the language of the play and therefore confident sight-reading skills are required. Every class will begin with a brief text-based vocal and physical warm-up, using Lear's lines at the beginning of Act Three, Scene Four, during the storm scene. Please look at these lines and prepare to be playful with them. Wear clothes and shoes in which you can move comfortably. A close study of Act One, Scene One will help students to participate with confidence. What happens in this opening scene triggers the action of the tragedy in the rest of the play and introduces nearly all of the main characters. These are active classes where students become actors and directors, not simply observers.

These workshops, led by myself as your director, demand focus and sustained engagement and therefore, as in a professional rehearsal room, the use of laptops is not permitted. We will be using the Penguin edition of the play, so please be sure to bring this to every class.