Award-winner Orla O’Loughlin will direct a contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear later this week when it visits the Lemon Tree from Friday, May 30 to Saturday, 31.
The production will feature a cast of four including Ramesh Meyyappan as Lear.
Showcased within Ramesh Meyyappan’s trademark bold visual story-telling, Lear explores universal themes of escalating madness, loss of power, betrayal and trust with empathy and a deep understanding of the human condition.
Aberdeen Performing Arts director of programming and creative projects, Ben Torrie, said: “We are proud to have LEAR with us at the Lemon Tree this week. From the brilliant creative minds behind Love Beyond, which was loved by our audiences last year, this new production is a fantastic example of Scottish contemporary theatre at its very best.”
Man. Father. Fool. In this dark and claustrophobic world, Lear is the all-powerful patriarch but he is also his own fool. Being a fool is one thing. Having power and being a fool is quite another. What happens when the power we hold is taken away?
Ramesh Meyyappan, LEAR writer and performer, said: "I am excited to be creating and developing this new piece of work commissioned by Singapore International Festival of Arts to both Singapore where I grew up and to my adopted home here in Scotland.
"Led by Orla O’Loughlin, a director I have admired for many years and Raw Material, we have brought together an excellent team of actors and creatives in what I hope will be a new accessible piece of visual theatre that will tour widely.”
Margaret-Anne O’Donnell and Gillian Garrity, executive producer, Raw Material, said: “Ramesh is an incredible, talented, visual artist and we are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with him in this international collaboration between Singapore and Scotland.
"Commissioned by Singapore International Festival of the Arts, LEAR will be the fourth production we have worked on with Ramesh including Snails & Ketchup, Butterfly and Off Kilter all of which we have toured extensively internationally and the award-winning Love Beyond that will visit Hong Kong International Festival in Spring 2025.
"We are especially pleased to have 'in association support' from National Theatre of Scotland, as well as Unlimited / British Council and Creative Scotland.”
Tickets are on sale now, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com) 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.