King Lear: I was Everything
Shakespeare’s tragic story of divided power and devotion is brought to life by the young people of 22 schools in Kent.
A storm rages in the graffiti-stained ruins of an abandoned skate park. Lear, a ruler young in years but aged in wisdom and respect, divides his crumbling kingdom among friends and rivals. What follows is a story of betrayal, loyalty and madness unfolding beneath flickering streetlights, as the drama of power and family is recast in the language of youth, rebellion, and broken concrete. Expect high drama, raw emotion, and the relentless energy of a generation searching for meaning in the ruins.
This abridged production of King Lear, reimagined in a young people’s world, is the culmination of a year-long project with schools across the region to bring Shakespeare from the page to the stage.
With training from Royal Shakespeare Company in partnership with the Marlowe Theatre, these schools deeply embed RSC rehearsal room techniques into their classrooms, allowing young people to investigate Shakespeare’s plays from a whole new perspective.
With directors and theatre makers from the Marlowe Theatre working collaboratively with them, this production represents young people’s views of one of Shakespeare’s most brutal and powerful tragedies.
Recommended 7yrs+
Content warnings: King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s tragedy plays. There are many deaths in this play, including torture and a death by suicide. However, in this production we have explored these moments in a sensitive way appropriate to the young people performing.
Technical Warnings: The production also features live music, loud noises, stage fighting, sounds of a storm and thunder, and flashing lights.
The following schools are performing
Monday 22 June
Bromstone Primary School
Thornden Wood Primary School
Turner Free School
Towers School and Sixth Form
Milton Court Primary Academy
Whitfield Aspen School
The Orchard School
St Edmund’s Church of England Primary School
Brockhill Park Performing Arts College
Queenborough School
Dane Court Grammar School
Tuesday 23 June
King Ethelbert School
St Anselm’s Catholic School
ISP School, Teynham
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School
Palm Bay Primary School
Ripplevale School
St Nicholas School, Canterbury
The Victory Academy
Brompton Academy
Ethelbert Road Primary School
The Marsh Academy
Furley Page Soliciors