Preview - Jack Lear - Northern Stage

A modern day re-working of Shakespeare's King Lear comes to Northern Stage in February. 

 Lear is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays - with more layers than an onion - so I will be interested to see how this modern interpretation of the story works when it comes to Northern Stage next moth. 

DS

 Barrie Rutter OBE leads cast for Jack Lear at Hull Truck Theatre 

With music composed by folk icon Eliza Carthy MBE 

Hull Truck Theatre are donning their oilskin overalls and fishing boots in January, as they step into 2019 with Jack Lear, an exciting new production written by Ben Benison, set on the banks of the river Humber. Jack Lear will showcase a cappella folk music composed by Yorkshire-born folk icon Eliza Carthy MBE, daughter of musicians Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson. 

The title role of Jack Lear will be played by Hull-born Barrie Rutter OBE. Winner of numerous awards, including the "Creative Briton Award" in 2000, Rutter continues his Shakespearean adventures in this gritty re-working of King Lear. Rutter gives life to the eponymous central character and uses his directing talent to tell an intense, complex, and unique story.  

Nicola Sanderson (Somewhere, National Theatre, Henry V, Northern Broadsides, The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides/ West Yorkshire Playhouse) will star as Morgana, Jack Lear’s eldest daughter. Sarah Naughton (Euphoria, Ensemble 52, Fruit, Hull, Hamlet, East Riding Theatre, Dark Winter, Ensemble 52, Hull Truck Theatre) will be Jack’s middle daughter, Freda. Olivia Onyehara (All our Daughters?, New Vic Theatre, Pride and Prejudice, Nottingham Playhouse/York Theatre Royal,  A Midsummer Night’s Dream/ Macbeth, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre York) will join the cast as Victoria, the trawlerman's youngest daughter. 

Andy Cryer (The Comedy Of Errors, Northern Broadsides, Othello, Whitehall Theatre, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Shakespeare’s Globe) will take on the role of Edmund, the solicitor who adds an extra touch of drama to this stormy family affair.  

The creative team includes Kate Unwin (Set Designer), Aideen Malone (Lighting Designer), and Mathew Clowes (Sound and Digital).  

Jack Lear opened at Hull Truck Theatre on Thursday 17 January and the production transfers to Northern Stage in Newcastle from 12th to 16th February.

Age recommendation: 14+ 

Tickets start from £10 for Jack Lear at Northern Stage. To book online visit www.northernstage.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0191 230 5151.  

Photo credit: Nobby Clark