Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Lear

Pitlochry Theatre 9/7/26

A Pitlochry Festival Theatre Production

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed and adapted by Finn Den Hertog

The excitement surrounding the first Shakespeare production of Alan Cumming’s tenure as artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre was intense. Having studied ‘King Lear’ and seen three productions over the years at The Globe in 2012 by Belarus Free Theatre, Chichester Festival theatre in 2013 with Frank Langella, and a stunning performance with Ian Holm at The National in 1977. - a definitive performance of my favourite Shakespeare play - I was looking forward to this production, and it didn’t disappoint.

It starred Maureen Beattie, and many questioned Finn Den Hertog’s decision to cast a woman as Queen Lear. To me it seemed perfect. After all, it is about troublesome daughters and what better to know them than a mother? If Shakespeare had been allowed to cast women in the theatre, then he would have written it for his leading lady. I recognised the struggles and complexities of being a parent and Shakespeare reveals that they are the same whatever the century. Maureen Beattie is a force to be reckoned with, from her domineering entrance, with perfect hair and a smart suit to the gradual descent into dementia and staggering around in her pyjamas. 'Tis the infirmity of her age’. Shakespeare says it all. Who hasn’t experienced this with a loved one? She brings a whole new insight to the text and I suspect many will follow in her footsteps. I'm sure that this landmark performance will transfer down south. I was looking forward to the storm monologue, with real rain and it didn’t disappoint. Descending from the ultra-smart Margaret Thatcher look into a dishevelled old lady took an actress of her stature to achieve.

The cast matched her energy. Dylan Read had the plum role of Edgar who desperately disguises himself as Poor Tom to evade his brother Edmund's hunt. He revels in disguising himself by smearing his body with horrible paint and hiding in a cellar. A great role for a physical actor which he takes on with relish. Edgar also delivers the final lines which draw the drama to a close with everyone lying dead on the stage. Just what the audience expected at Shakespeare's Globe. Forbes Masson excels in his role as Gloucester, having his eyes bloodily torn out - it is Shakespeare after all. Goneril and Regan, played by Jenny Hulse and Lyndsey Campbell channel their Fergie and Meghan as feuding daughters and see off poor Cordelia played by Ailsa Davidson, who also plays the Fool.

The contemporary set by Emma Bailey represents a house in chaos with furniture covered with dust sheets which comes in useful at various times. The second half features a large branch of a fallen tree representing, I conjecture, the fall of a household. The concept and direction speak for itself. Finn Den Hertog is a hot new director and was the right choice to reinvent this piece. I loved it. I am not so sure about the conservative audience of Pitlochry. Maybe not for the coach parties!

It runs until 1st August. If you love Shakespeare, then don’t miss this landmark production.