Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   King Lear by William Shakespeare Directed by Steve Marshall 24 November - 1 December 1984 (7 performances) Intent on retiring from the duties of kingship, Lear sets about dividing his kingdom between his daughters. He foolishly disinherits his youngest child Cordelia and decides to live alternatively with his eldest daughters - but his developing madness and the attitudes of Goneril and Regan cause him to walk out into a storm where his insanity reaches its peak... Cast King Lear David Hampton Goneril Jane Darling Regan Catherine Bateman Cordelia Susan Hampton Duke of Albany Martin Heard Duke of Cornwall Paul Lay King of France Brian Senner Duke of Burgundy Bob Phillips Earl of Kent Paul Jennings Earl of Gloucester Tony Donnelly Edgar Mike Higginson Edmund Peter Howard Lear's Fool Sue Higginson Oswald Ross Holland Gentleman Brian Withstandley Messenger Paul Bolton Servants Leanne Glanville, Andrea Hampton, Freda Phillips Crew Stage Manager Janet Henderson Assistant Stage Managers Carol La Roche, Melanie Jones Set Design Steve Marshall Costumes Brian Senner Lighting  Dennis Kingshott Sound Bernard Tilley, Steven Baldry   Preview A King to all the family The latest production at the Edward Alderton Theatre is a family play in every sense of the word. The leading man in King Lear is played by 46-year-old Dave Hampton whose real-life teenage daughter Susan plays his daughter Cordelia in the play. His other teenage daughter has a smaller part, that of a servant. But friendliness and comradeship is what this theatre all about. The close-knit group built the theatre six years ago under their own steam and it is now a welcome addition to the large Bexley Adult Education Centre in Brampton Road. In fact, many of the bricks used in the building work are printed with the names of people who have donated money to the hard working group. This current production is using lavish costumes which are worth around £1,000 and have been hired specially from the Royal Shakespeare Company for this performance. The William Shakespeare classic is being directed by Steve Marshall whose previous successes have been Macbeth in 1981, Murder in the Cathedral in 1982 and Under Milk Wood last year. This is the company's second production this year [sic] in the theatre named after a former principal of the Centre who retired three years ago and lives next door! Tickets to the show are £1.80 to adults and £1.50 to associate members. To become an associate member the fee is £1 and this ensures a set reduction on each seat. Ring the box office on 01 303 2541 for details. The play opens on Saturday night at 8pm and runs until December I. Gillian Groombridge Kentish Times | 22 November 1984