Nearly Lear, a mischievous retelling of one of Shakespeare’s greatest dramatic masterpieces opens on 9 April as part of Sydney Opera House’s Kids at the House program.

“A frisky, funny, tantalizing introduction to the lifelong pleasures of Shakespeare.”
The New York Times

A one-woman show performed by actress and acclaimed clown, Susanna Hamnett, who respectfully transforms the tragedy using storytelling, music, song and film to tell a very personal and poignant tale that borrows from the words of William Shakespeare’s King Lear.

Seen through the eyes of Lear’s devoted clown Norris, the story becomes not only emotional and tragic, but cheeky and achingly funny. A born jester, Norris mixes sorrow and concern with infectious delight as she plays out characters of a ragged family.

Created especially for young audiences as an introduction to Shakespeare, Nearly Lear is both accessible and fun whilst still remaining true to the spirit, language and emotional core of the play.

Susanna Hamnett is passionate about the role of theatre in the lives of children and young people. She studied Russian at Cambridge University and drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before studying clowning skills. In 2008 under the direction of Edith Tankus, Susanna created Nearly Lear, her first full-length solo performance. Susanna lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and three children and is currently working on a new solo play for young audiences at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

Nearly Lear first opened in Toronto in 2008 and has since been performing in theatres across North America and the UK including a season at The New Victory Theater in New York earlier this year. This is the first time the show has been performed to Australian audiences.

“I am so inspired by Nearly Lear that I went to the library and got a book by Shakespeare. It was so amazing I cannot explain it. It was a way beyond amazing. It was perfect.”
Emelia, student aged 13, Ontario Canada
 

Nearly Lear Season Details
Saturday, 9 April
12:30pm and 5pm

Nearly Lear is an adaption from Shakespeare by  Susanna Hamnett and Edith Tankus, performed by Susanna Hamnett and directed by Edith Tankus.