King Lear at the Manchester Opera House Review
King Lear
Opera House, Manchester
31 May to 4 June 2016
Reviewed by Jan Mellor
My partner and I went to see Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ at the Opera House in Manchester last night , a play we were very much looking forward to as we are avid Shakespeare fans and usually trek down to Stratford a couple of times a year to see a play – so it was great that a play was on locally. We had seen the play before performed by RSC actors and although the actors were very good last night there was a certain ‘spark’ missing that RSC brings to the stage.
King Lear is a dramatic story of a father’s need of admiration from his three daughters and how in splitting his kingdom into three for them – leads to him gaining dementia/madness and the loss of affection from his two eldest daughters as they show their true desires in a tragedy of greed, lies and betrayal. Throughout the play there is torment, death and torture but the outcome shows that truth prevails and vanity and greed bring heartache. A moving story indeed.
It was a long play – lasting 3 hours (19.30- 22 30) and we felt that the 20 minute break at 21.15 was too late as we were both fading by this time – a lot of the tiredness was due to the heat in the theatre as it was very hot and stuffy. We had a glass of wine at the interval which we thought expensive (£9) and bought a good programme (£5) but did not eat at the theatre as we had eaten earlier. We have had the ice-creams at the theatre before and although expensive are very good.
I thought the play was a good opportunity for people to get to see a great Shakespearean tragedy, well-acted in the heart of Manchester. The actors/cast were prestigious with Michael Pennington (Lear) and Pip Donaghy (Gloucester) and as the play is only running for 5 nights (ticket priced at £18-£38) it was definitely worth the money and I would recommend it to anyone (who was aware of the intensity that a Shakespearean play can bring) to go and see it.
Due to the heat in the theatre and the lateness of the break I give this review 3 out of 5.
Rating: 3/5
Tickets cost from £18.15 to £38.65 (plus £4 transaction fee).
King Lear is at the Opera House in Manchester until 4 June 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3018.
Opera House, 3 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP | 0844 871 3018
