Pete’s passion

Oct 24 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

Acclaimed screen and stage actor Pete Postlethwaite returns to the Liverpool theatre where he launched his glittering career to star in the title role of King Lear by William Shakespeare.

Directed by Headlong artistic director Rupert Goold, King Lear promises to capture the explosive spirit and atmosphere of the Liverpool Everyman’s unique theatrical space.Š

Warrington-born Pete Postlethwaite first went to Liverpool in the mid 1970s when he joined the seminal Alan Dosser company at the Everyman where fellow actors included Julie Walters, Matthew Kelly, Bill Nighy, Anthony Sher, Trevor Eve, Jonathan Pryce, George Costigan and Alison Steadman. Š

His extensive film and TV credits include The Constant Gardener, Brassed Off, Romeo and Juliet, The Usual Suspects, Criminal Justice and he was nominated for an Oscar for 1993’s In the Name of the Father.Š

His recent theatre credits include The Tempest (Manchester Royal Exchange), Scaramouche Jones (UK/World Tour) and The Homecoming (Manchester Royal Exchange).

Postlethwaite said: “Doing King Lear is a big, big privilege – terrifying and exciting at the same time – and I hope it will fulfil all our dreams and hopes.Š

“I feel it is the right time, in the right place, with the right people.ŠTo me, the Everyman is one of the most exciting spaces and venues in the world.”

Rupert Goold is artistic director of Headlong Theatre.ŠHe last joined creative forces with Pete Postlethwaite in 2002 when he directed him in the one-man tour de force, Scaramouche Jones.

Goold’s previous productions of Shakespeare include Hamlet and Othello (Northampton) and last year's celebrated London and New York sell-out production of Macbeth, with Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood, for which he received Best Director from the London Evening Standard, Critic's Circle and Olivier awards.Š

This Christmas he will direct Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Rowan Atkinson and TV’s I’d Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger.

King Lear can be seen at the Everyman in Hope Street from October 30-November 29. Ring the box office on 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.