Why YSP director Ben Prusiner has cast more women than usual in King Lear

American Ben Prusiner is directing York Shakespeare Project's 30th show with more women in the cast than usual in his "modern, fast-paced production of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy" at the John Cooper Studio Theatre, 41 Monkgate, York from Wednesday to December 10.

As well as the familiar three sisters, Cindy Campbell's Goneril, Jennie Wogan's Regan and Charlotte Wood's Cordelia, Helen Wilson will play the eye-gouged Gloucester; Elizabeth Elsworth, Kent; Sally Mitcham, Oswald; Carrie Morrison, The Fool; Hannah Forsyth, Burgundy, Knight and Curan; Alexandra Knight, five traditionally male roles, and Anne Brockett, three too. Meanwhile, Edgar has become Emma, as performed by Emily Thane, after her earlier appearance as Judas in this summer's York Minster Mystery Plays.

Liz Elsworth, as Kent, in rehearsal with director Ben Prusiner. Picture: John R Saunders

"Being brand new to the city, I could have first impressions of the people I auditioned, though I'd seen as much theatre as I could in York to think, 'oh, Id like to work with that person'," says Ben. "I'm very pleased with cast and I believe it's very strong.

"The gender breakdown has been very interesting, retaining a male Lear, but with a lot of other parts being flipped, though we had both men and women reading for Lear, Kent, Gloucester and Edgar."

The most eyebrow-raising decision is the casting of Helen Wilson as old Gloucester, given the notoriously graphic assault on the character's eyes, plucked out as a punishment for loyalty to Lear. "Helen and I had a great conversation at one point about Chekhov's plays, about laughter through the tears, and trying to find the humour, like with Gloucester, who's a humorous character until such terrible things occur," says Ben.

Paul French as King Lear. Picture: John R Saunders

"Some parts you can change with minimal impact, but some you change knowing there'll be an impact, Burgundy and France becoming women will change Cordelia's position in the bloodline, but retaining Goneril as a woman means there's still pressure on her to have children, while Edmund [played by David Phillipps] will feel emasculated by Emma [formerly Edgar] getting everything."

Ben felt it was important to keep Lear's daughters as daughters. "The biggest statement we could make with Cordelia was not to make a statement by changing her," he says.

In Shakespeare's time, casts comprised solely men and boys playing all the roles. "But we're not drawing from an all-male company, and what was important to me was that I wanted to reflect the community as someone new to York. So it was a question of who showed up; who was the best actor for each role?" says Ben. "We had to make sure it was cast in a way where we could think, 'Could we flip that?' and 'What will work best?'.

Jennie Wogan as Regan in YSP's rehearsals for King Lear. Picture: John R Saunders

"It's all an experiment and with a lot of it, we'll have to see what the audience think, but we're casting on merit and on chemistry as I don't cast in isolation. What I'm trying to do is balance it all up; that's important to me as a director. The chemistry between actors. That's the part of directing I really like."

Ben had begun with a company of 20, now slimmed to 17, with a preponderance of wome. "That number is better because it gives everyone more to do," he says.

What is the impact of so many women on stage in King Lear. "I've directed and co-directed all-female productions, but this is very different, and it's a very powerful dynamic to see women playing male roles but still with men in the cast too. To me, it's just felt quite normal, where we have a good group of actors playing these parts."

In one enforced change to Prusiner's cast, departing YSP chairman Maurice Crichton had to step down from playing Lear before rehearsals had even begun after seriously damaging his left arm when tumbling off his bicycle.

David Phillipps in rehearsal for his role as Edmund in KIng Lear

In his stead, Paul French has stepped up from playing Albany to take over the title role for Shakespeare's tale of Lear, King of Britain, dividing his kingdom among his three daughters. When his favourite, Cordelia, does not lavish him with praise, Lear disinherits her, but Goneril and Regan nevertheless mistreat him and his mind begins to crack. As civil war looms, a foreign army invades, and loyalties are tested beyond reason, but which side would you choose, asks Prusiner in his modern setting?

Why modern, Ben? "It's a very personal play that people read different things into, but it's very resonant today with Britain's post-Brexit relationship with mainland Europe and pondering what trust do we have in our leaders' intentions?" he says. "We also want the play to feel real: that feeling that you could end up being homeless.

"That's why it's the central question in King Lear, bringing the story close to all our lives by asking 'What would you do if you lost everything?'. We'll have a collection box at front of house for the charity Crisis at Christmas, if patrons wish to donate, as this charity aligns with the issues we're exploring, as revealed in that question."

For tickets, phone 01904 623568 or book online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk