New Victory Presents A One-Woman King Lear Adaptation: Nearly Lear

Only a handful of actors have dared to tackle a one-man performance of a Shakespeare play. But In Nearly Lear presented by The New Victory Theater, which will run at The Duke on 42nd Street theater from January 7 through 16, Susanna Hamnett, a British tour de force based in Toronto, will portray every character in this mischievous retelling of King Lear.

To watch a video clip, visit newvictory.org.

"I had the privilege of working with Susanna in the early stages of development for Nearly Lear," said Emma Rice, Artistic Director of Kneehigh Theatre and Director of Brief Encounter, which is currently on Broadway, and The Red Shoes, which opened at St. Ann's Warehouse in November. "The work is fresh and inspiring, accessible and brave, witty and true... the fusion of gentle clowning and deep tragedy proved powerful and engaging," Ms. Rice said.

In Nearly Lear, Ms. Hamnett plays the Fool - and every other character - to tell a very personal and poignant story that "distills with absolute clarity the essential themes of Shakespeare's tragedy." She braves the most savage storm in English literature with hilarity and heartache, honoring the beautiful language of Lear while taking a bit of poetic license. Co-created by Ms. Hamnett and Edith Tankus with initial development in association with Kneehigh Theatre (Brief Encounter, The Red Shoes, Rapunzel, New Victory 2008), Nearly Lear upends expectations of what a Shakespeare play should be.

Nearly Lear is directed by Edith Tankus. Lighting design is by Michelle Ramsay, costume design is by Susanna Hamnett, sound design is by Gavin Fearon, set design is by Lindsay Anne Black, and film is by David Parker. The cast features Susanna Hamnett.

Ticket information
Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Vic shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including a 35-percent savings.
Tickets for Nearly Lear cost $17.50 for Members and $25 for Non-members.

On sale now:
ONLINE at NewVictory.org
BY PHONE at 646-223-3010; Monday-Friday 12 noon-8 pm; Saturday 10 am-8 pm; Sunday 10 am-5 pm
IN PERSON at The Duke on 42nd Street Box Office; Box office hours: Tuesday - Friday 4 PM - 7 PM; Saturday 12 PM - 6 PM

Performance Schedule
Fri Jan 7 7 pm
Sat Jan 8 2 and 7 pm
Sun Jan 9 3 pm
Fri Jan 14 7 pm
Sat Jan 15 2 and 7 pm
Sun Jan 16 3 pm

About Susanna Hamnett
Susanna won scholarships to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and acted in England and Europe before coming to Toronto to study clown with John Turner and Michael Kennard (of Mump and Smoot), with whom she has worked regularly ever since. She has been privileged to work and train with remarkable artists including the aforementioned Mump and Smoot, Patsy Rodenburg, Yoshi Oida, Anatoly Vassiliev, Theatre Smith-Gilmour, Theatre Columbus, Theatre Alibi (in association with Theatr Gardziniesce), Red Shift Theatre, Kneehigh Theatre, as well as a period at the Moscow Arts Theatre School.

Nearly Lear is Susanna's first full-length solo performance, bringing together her great passions for Shakespeare and Clown.

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