Synopsis

The aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his daughters—Bodice and Fontanelle—based on their professions of love. His youngest daughter, Cordelia, refuses to flatter him excessively and is disinherited. As Lear faces betrayal from Bodice and Fontanelle, who turn against him, he descends into madness and grapples with his own identity and the consequences of his past decisions. This brutal and darkly satirical play reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy, set in a dystopian landscape where violence, power struggles, and moral decay are pervasive. Bond’s Lear builds a massive wall to keep out invaders, a symbol of his tyrannical control and paranoia, which ultimately leads to his downfall and the collapse of his kingdom.

The play delves into themes of power, violence, and moral corruption. Bond employs a non-linear narrative structure with stark, realistic dialogue and brutal imagery, highlighting the bleakness and futility of the characters’ struggles. The tone is grim and uncompromising, reflecting Bond’s critical perspective on societal violence and authority. The play’s style is characterised by its intense, confrontational nature, and its exploration of the human condition under extreme duress.