Shakespeare Swung: King Lear

Ruff Necks CIC presents... Shakespeare Swung: King Lear!

Imagine a Shakespeare play. Now take away the complicated prose & verse and condense it to a twenty minute piece of performance art - that is Shakespeare Swung!

At Ruff Necks, we have been delighted to have worked with some incredibly talented young people to create this unique retelling of one of Shakespeare's most gruesome and grizzly tragedies. Due to the uncomfortable nature of this play's narrative content, it only seemed fitting to fully immerse our audience in a rather dark, grim and ever so slightly unsettling setting - The Grand Shaft!

What to expect:

• Use of lights - but no strobing!
• Live percussion instruments (and one member of the brass instrument family)
• Close audience/ actor proximity
• Standing only options for viewing
• An opportunity to explore a unique heritage building that is the only of its kind in England!

On arrival at 4:00pm, you will be given the opportunity to explore The Grand Shaft and its incredible helix staircases. Each staircase is comprised of approximately 200 steps, leading from the bottom of the cliff face to the top. At 4:30pm you will be guided to the audience space and the performance will begin.

As we are a not-for-profit in our first full year of operation, this work and the rehearsals leading up to it have been generously funded by local community members who believe in our mission to put young people's creativity at the forefront.

We understand all too well that the economic climate is challenging - therefore, we have chosen to sell tickets on a tiered basis. Please note that all profit goes back into our work to provide free places for young people to explore their creativity and passion. We are working hard to try and find a way to fundraise electronically, but if you are able, you like what we do and feel generous in supporting further work from Ruff Necks, please bring coins (or notes) as we will be collecting for donations at the end of the performance.

We have put the minimum age as a guidance of age 7+. Please note that content of this play includes death and violence, although this will be represented theatrically, we ask that parents use their own judgement as to the suitability of a child's attendance.

As there is the use of live percussion instruments, if you have a sensitivity to noise, it may be wise to bring some form of ear protection, although noise levels are carefully monitored to coincide with H&S regulations.