I was gifted tickets in exchange for my honest review.
All opinions remain my own
I’ll be honest: King Lear has never been my “easy watch” Shakespeare. It’s bleak, sprawling, and full of characters making terrible decisions. But when the RSC’s First Encounters production rolled into Peterborough’s Key Theatre, I was curious. A 90-minute, youth-friendly Lear? Could that possibly work?
Turns out—yes. Very much yes.
A surprisingly powerful Lear
From the moment the cast stepped on stage, it felt clear this wasn’t going to be some watered-down Shakespeare-for-kids affair. The script might be trimmed, but the emotional core is all there. In fact, without the usual three-plus hours of political machinations, the story hits you straight in the heart.
The production trusts the audience—young or not—to keep up, and that’s something I really appreciated.
An intimate, human Lear
The actor playing Lear absolutely held the room. He gave us a booming father who’s desperately trying to hold onto the authority he’s already losing. He unravelled in a way that felt painfully recognisable—less a grand tragic downfall and more a slow, human slipping-away.
And the relationship between Lear and the Fool? Possibly my favourite part. Their scenes had this mix of humour and heartbreak that genuinely got to me.
The daughters—brilliantly drawn
I’ve seen productions where Goneril and Regan are all moustache-twirling villainy, but not here. They were sharp, impatient, and quietly ruthless—almost like teenagers rolling their eyes at a parent who just won’t stop being dramatic. It made their betrayal feel more grounded and, weirdly, more chilling.
Cordelia, on the other hand, was all honesty and stillness. Her gentleness carried real weight.
Staging that really works in the Key Theatre
The Key Theatre Studio is cosy, which can sometimes feel limiting, but this show made the most of it. The simple set, the shifting roles, the clever use of lighting—it all worked together to give the story space without overwhelming it.
The storm scene in particular was brilliantly handled. No flashy effects, just atmosphere, movement, and sound that left the audience leaning in.
A Shakespeare introduction I wish I’d had
What really struck me was how engaged the younger audience members were. No fidgeting. No whispering. They were drawn in. The First Encounters format clearly works—striking that balance between being accessible and still trusting viewers to understand genuine emotional complexity.
And honestly? I found myself wishing my own first experience of King Lear had been this clear, this heartfelt, and this alive.
Final thoughts
I left the theatre feeling unexpectedly moved. This production might be aimed at first-time Shakespeare audiences, but it never once talks down to them. Instead, it brings you right into the emotional centre of the story.
If the RSC’s First Encounters King Lear passes anywhere near you, go see it—especially if you think you don’t like King Lear. You might be surprised, like I was, by just how much it gets under your skin.
After the performance, do look out for the table in the theatre lobby which invites audience members to add their thoughts. I really like this addition!
