River Run Centre presents Nearly Lear on March 11 at 8pm.
Created by Susanna Hamnett, and directed by Edith Tankus, this version of the story of King Lear is told with a mischievous and tender twist through the eyes of the King’s devoted clown Norris.
Hamnett (an actor, theatre artist, clown, and artist in education) plays Norris, who, in good Shakespearean tradition, is actually Noreen disguised as a boy. Fiercely devoted to the King and his daughter, Cordelia, Norris-Noreen is devastated by the tragedy that befalls them, until her father suggests that she goes out and shares the story with the world.
What follows then, is Norris-Noreen’s telling the story. Borrowing generously from Shakespeare’s play, and helping herself liberally to his language, she mixes sorrow and concern at the tragic nature of what she has to relate with her own infectious delight at playing out the characters and situations that have been so close to her heart.
An emotional roller-coaster ride that will enchant lovers of Shakespeare as well as Bard neophytes, Nearly Lear blends exuberant storytelling, music, song, and film with Shakespeare’s rich poetic text to take us firmly into the heart of this great story.
Susanna Hamnett trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, under the tutelage of world-renowned Shakespeare teacher, Patsy Rodenberg.Since coming to Canada, she has trained and collaborated extensively with master clowns John Turner and Mike Kennard (Mump and Smoot). In 2005 she began working with Tankus, who has been hailed as one of Canada’s finest female clowns.
Tickets range from $23 to $25. As part of the uGo program, university and college students may purchase tickets for only $20 each. And through eyeGO, high school students may attend for just $5 each. All tickets may be purchased at www.riverrun.ca, by phone at 519-763-3000 or in person at the box office.
