Derby company 1623 is to stage a double bill in its home city that explores how dementia impacts on family life.
Lear/Cordelia comprises Lear, a “radical” reworking of Shakespeare's King Lear by 1623 artistic director Ben Spiller who also directs, and Cordelia, a new play by Birmingham REP Foundry artist Farrah Chaudhry which is directed by Louie Ingham, an associate artist at The Dukes, Lancaster.
The double bill is inspired by the findings of a 1623 research project that explored King Lear in the context of dementia through participatory activities in care homes.
Spiller said, “Lear/Cordelia has been created by, with and for people whose lives are affected by dementia. It brings to light questions about who should care for our loved ones and what our responsibilities are.
“About 400 years ago, Shakespeare wrote a play about a man with dementia. Attitudes and care strategies have changed since then, so we're reworking and responding to his play to reflect and question the world in which we live right now.”
Alongside Lear/Cordelia, 1623 is running workshops in care homes and hospital wards. These are based on Lear's memory box which is full of evocative objects that feature in the first half of the double bill.
Lear/Cordelia will be performed in the Studio at Derby Theatre on Friday and Saturday (18 and 19 November).