Looking at Lear: the Voice Work and Direction of Cicely Berry

Abstract

Since her death on 15 October 2018 at the age of 92 many tributes have been paid to Cicely Berry, and no doubt more will follow. Her legacy is assured, however, through the many actors, directors, and young people she encouraged, inspired, and transformed during her long and illustrious career as Director of Voice (and subsequently Advis ory Director) of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and other organizations where she shared her practice internationally, often with the assistance of translators in order to work in the language of the host communities. Moreover, her words and a myriad of examples of exercises on voice and text processes remain in print and on digital media for the benefit of future generations.¹ In this article, Nesta Jones focuses on one specific piece of work and moment in time. Cicely Berry had directed a touring production of Hamlet for the Education Department at the National Theatre in 1986, with Tim McInnerny in the title role; then, two years later, came the production appraised in detail here – King Lear for the RSC, first staged at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988, and at the Almeida Theatre, London, in 1989. Nesta Jones recently retired as Professor and Director of Research at Rose Bruford College ot Theatre and Performance, and was previously Reader in Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths, University of London.