Lost Lear
Theatre
Multimedia
Adaptation

Lost Lear

Matt Smyth, Riverbank Arts Centre and Mermaid Arts Centre • Professional company

75 minutes•Traverse 1
A moving and darkly comic remix of Shakespeare’s play told from the point of view of Joy, a person with dementia who is living in an old memory of rehearsing King Lear. Joy’s delicately maintained reality is upended by the arrival of her estranged son who, being cast as Cordelia must find a way to speak his piece from within the limited role he’s given. Using puppetry, projection and live video effects, the audience are landed in Joy’s world as layers of her past and present, fiction and reality, overlap and distort. A thought-provoking meditation on theatre.
Event Details

Sunday 27 July - Sunday 24 August 2025

Weekdays at 10:00 & 13:15 & 14:00 & 16:15 & 17:30 & 19:15, Weekends at 10:00 & 10:30 & 13:15 & 14:00 & 16:15 & 19:15 & 19:30 & 21:30

21 performances

75 minutes

Traverse 1

10 Cambridge Street

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5 performers

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025

Ticket Price

£20 (15)

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Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are tickets for Lost Lear?

Tickets for Lost Lear are £20 (15). You can purchase tickets through the official festival website.

Where is Lost Lear being performed?

Lost Lear is being performed at Traverse 1, located at 10 Cambridge Street. The venue is in the heart of Edinburgh's festival district.

How long is Lost Lear?

The performance runs for approximately 75 minutes.

How do I book tickets for Lost Lear?

You can book tickets for Lost Lear through the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe website. Click the "Buy tickets" button on this page to be directed to the booking system.

When is Lost Lear showing?

Lost Lear runs from 27 July 2025 to 27 July 2025. Check the official website for specific performance times.

What is Lost Lear about?

Lost Lear is a Edinburgh Festival Fringe production. For the full description and latest information, please visit the event page or the official festival website.

About This Theatre Production

Lost Lear is a theatre performance at Traverse 1 during Edinburgh Festival 2025. Running for 75 minutes, this show is part of the world's largest arts festival, bringing together performers and audiences from across the globe.

Experience compelling storytelling brought to life by talented performers. Theatre at Edinburgh ranges from intimate black box productions to grand stage spectacles.

Venue: Traverse 1

Traverse 1 is one of Edinburgh's Festival venues, hosting a variety of performances throughout August. Located in the heart of the city, the venue is accessible by public transport and within walking distance of other Festival locations.

Tips for Attending

  • •Check for trigger warnings if sensitive to certain topics
  • •Most Fringe theatre runs without interval
  • •Latecomers may not be admitted
  • •Consider matinee performances for a relaxed experience

Booking Information

Ticket Prices: £20 - £25

Age Guidance: 14+

Content Warnings: Strobe lighting, More information Contains strobe, flashing lights and themes of dementia & Alzheimer's.

Book early to avoid disappointment. Popular shows sell out quickly during Edinburgh Festival.

Part of Edinburgh Festival 2025

Edinburgh Festival transforms Scotland's capital into the world's leading cultural destination every August. With thousands of performances across hundreds of venues, the festival offers unparalleled choice for culture lovers.Lost Lear represents the theatrical innovation that makes Edinburgh Festival unique.

Looking for more theatre shows at Edinburgh Festival 2025?

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