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Brownsea Open Air Theatre Brownsea Island Poole Harbour July 2002 
THIS most tragic of all Shakespeare’s tragedies essentially tells the story of two dysfunctional families. A bundle of laughs it is not – although David Hinton’s touching Fool provides just the right amount of comic relief – but for dramatic intensity and powerful performances it is unmissable.Director Jo Puttick’s “in the triangle” production brings the audience right into the action and as the tension builds, aided by distant drums and, as ever, calling peacocks, it would be nigh-on impossible not to be moved by the unfolding treachery. Frank Holden is an imposing Lear who handles his descent into madness with well-  controlled restraint, while Rebecca Gross (Cordelia), Lisa Maule (Regan) and especially Lauren Millen (truly a “gilded serpent” as Goneril) are superbly cast as his daughters.Steve Dennis is a fine Earl of Gloucester and there are equally strong performances from Andy Dickinson as his evil bastard son, Edmund, and Alan Colclough as elder son, Edgar. There are excellent characterisations too from Paul Mole (Kent), John Bradford (Albany) and Mark Davies (Cornwall), and the production is further enhanced by superb costumes, a simple but effective set, marvellous lighting and one or two horrifyingly realistic effects that you really should see for yourself. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo Photographs (Courtesy of Linsey O'Neill - © 2002) King Lear and Cordelia - Frank Holden & Rebecca Gross The King's sons Edgar & Edmund fighting - Alan Colclough & Andy Dickinson |
