Riverside Shakespeare Company
In 1985 the Riverside Shakespeare Company presented the New York premiere of "The History of King Lear", adapted with a happy ending by 18th-century English Poet Laureate, Nahum Tate, from William Shakespeare's "King Lear". The production was directed by W. Stuart McDowell, produced by Andrew B. Harris, who had joined Riverside as its executive director at the beginning of the season.
Jasper Britton
Britton worked for six years as an assistant stage manager and sound operator until 1989 when, while working for Jonathan Miller at the Old Vic, he forced his way into Miller's office and refused to leave until Miller agreed to let him audition for "King Lear". His King of France to Eric Porter's Lear was the beginning of a prolific stage career. Early plays included "The Visit" with Theatre de Complicite at the Royal National Theatre, "The Cherry Orchard", "Macbeth" and "A Flea in her Ear" at Nottingham Playhouse. A season at the Royal Shakespeare Company included "A Jovial Crew" for Max Stafford-Clark, "Tamburlaine" for Terry Hands and "The Beggar's Opera" and "Antony and Cleopatra" for John Caird. There followed the Dauphin in "St Joan" at the Strand Theatre and an award winning performance as Rupert in "Rope" at Salisbury Playhouse.