Walter Borden Stars in TRAGEDIE OF LEAR by William Shakespeare

What happens to a family when its head has lost his grasp on reality and the family has no idea? The fault lines in this intergenerational conflict are exposed in Tragedie of Lear, arguably William Shakespeare's most compelling tragedy. In his directorial debut, Dora-nominated actor Ash Knight explores this startlingly timely masterpiece through the lens of mental health.

This relationship between aging parents and their adult children is already playing out across the country. According to Statistics Canada, the rate of growth of people over the age of 65 is quadruple the growth rate of the total population. In Toronto, the fastest growing population segment is that of 85 and older. The "sandwich generation" is feeling increased pressure in coming to terms with changing child-parent dynamics. "Sadly, when mental illness is a factor," says Knight, "these changing dynamics become even more fraught with challenges. Though we see the question of caring for the elderly as a modern problem, Shakespeare was quite prescient in Tragedie of Lear, proving that this is a universal concern which spans centuries."

Walter Borden (Order of Canada) takes on the title role. Mr. Borden's distinguished career has been acclaimed internationally and throughout Canada. His Stratford credits include over a dozen plays and he is a recipient of: the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jublilee medal; the African-Nova Scotian Music Association Heritage award; the DR. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award; the Portia White Prize; and he's an inductee into the Dr. William P. Oliver Wall of Honour Society.

As a large focus of the production is mental health, the cast will work with Neurologist, Dr. Suvendrini Lena (The Enchanted Loom), in order to adequately address and portray various mental health issues.

Tragedie of Lear will run October 12-22, 2017 at Toronto's Palmerston Theatre (560 Palmerston Ave.) and also features Dora Nominees Deborah Drakeford (Soulpepper's A Christmas Carol), Andrew Moodie (Startford Festival and Soulpepper), Byron Abalos (Soulpepper's Twelve Angry Men), as well as Jon de Leon (Stratford Festival), Mark Bondy (Stratford Festival), and Jane Luk (Soulpepper's Kim's Convenience).

The creative team includes Directorial Consultant Richard Greenblatt, Set, Costume and Props Designer Denyse Karn, Lighting Designer Jareth Li, Sound Designer Maddie Bautista and Percussion Designer Ed Hanley (Autorikshaw).

Where: Palmerston Theatre | 560 Palmerston Ave., Toronto

When: October 12-16 and 20-22, 2017

Fridays (11AM* & 7:30PM)

Saturdays (1:30PM & 7:30PM)

Sundays (1:30PM)

Monday (11AM* & 7:30PM)

Previews: Thursday October 12 (1:30PM & 7:30PM)

Opening: Friday October 13 (7:30PM)

*Student Matinees: Friday Oct. 13 & 20, Monday, Oct. 16 (11AM)

Tickets: $20-$28

Previews (Thursday Oct. 12, 1:30PM & 7:30PM): $20
General Public: $28
Seniors/Students/Arts Workers: $20

www.tragedieoflear.com

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