Year 12 and 13 students watch King Lear at Almeida Theatre, London
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News - Mar 13
Written by Lottie F
On 28th February 2024, Colyton students from Year 12 and 13 had the tough task of waking up at 5.30am in order to make the trek into London to watch Yaël Farber’s production of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre. The sacrifice was decidedly worth it with an unanimously positive review of the show.
“Nothing will come of nothing”. We all must face the moment of truth that we won’t live forever. Lear, father and king of unquestioned power, must divide his realm between his three daughters. The first two quickly declare the love he is desperate to hear, yet his favourite Cordelia shuns the performative circus. “Nothing” she answers, when asked to speak – and towards that nothing Lear’s world begins to slide.
As the new generation unleashes the consequences of their father’s choices, Lear takes us into the eye of the storm and its trial of destruction. Danny Sapani’s Lear was incredibly emotive to watch, with his fits of rage, madness and joy coming to life on stage. Fra Fee as Edmund proved it is possible to convey menace along with charm and whimsy, wrapped together in one beautiful performance. However, I would say that it was Gloria Obianyo who stole the show, blowing all our students away with her poise and stage presence, as well as a silky smooth voice that made her the perfect Cordelia.
The staging blew everyone away too, designed by Merle Hensel, which created an immersive portrayal of the storm that kept us all on edge, as did moments like the gouging of Gloucester’s eyes and final reveal of a deceased Cordelia and a devastated Lear.
Overall, the production of Shakespeare’s King Lear was deemed worthy of a standing ovation by the whole audience. Some students were just as excited as the cast to bump into Ralph Fiennes in the foyer after the show after the show – a celebrity spotting on a trip that will go down in history as one of the finest Shakespeare performances (of many) our English teachers Mr Smith and Mrs Lea have ever seen.
Photo credit @ Marc Brenner
