HOW PLEASANT TO KNOW MR LEAR !
For years I had wanted to make a show about Edward Lear , and I waited half a career for a student capable of portraying this remarkable Victorian figure to come along . Marcel Steinbauer-Lewis ( Lower Sixth ) was the cove for me ! And he relished the challenge . Our aim was to weave the story of Lear ’ s life into a presentation of his nonsense verse in a way that would illuminate the poems .
Introducing Lear ’ s nonsense to more than 50 Lower School students and exploring both the poems and aspects of his life and times with them was a rich , joyful experience for me and my co-director
Rik Hartley . Their engagement , imagination and creative ideas made the play a pleasure to write , and rehearsals a rewarding educational experience for all , with the cast telling us they had enjoyed experiencing ‘ a different style of drama ’, working together , building their confidence and stepping out of their comfort zone . In the end , Marcel ’ s performance was astonishingly good , and the whole company produced a shared experience that will be treasured long in the memory .
Jim Grant , Writer and Director
48 DRAMA REVIEW