Shakespeare Comes to Scilly: RSC Braves Rough Seas to Deliver ‘King Lear‘ to Remote Islands
St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) completed a remarkable journey this week, bringing a production of King Lear to the remote Isles of Scilly after navigating challenging sea conditions. The performance, held four times in the school hall of Five islands Academy, marks a key initiative in the RSC’s commitment to expanding access to Shakespeare beyond customary theatrical centers.
The tour, extending to the Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Peterborough, underscores a growing concern over declining arts education and the vital role culture plays in fostering understanding. With arts access in schools at a critical juncture after years of cuts, the RSC’s outreach aims to demonstrate the power of live performance-something markedly different from studying texts or watching filmed versions-and to cultivate a society “able to disagree agreeably,” as RSC director of creative learning and engagement Jacqui O’Hanlon put it.
Jeremy Brown, creative director for Culture on Scilly, described the event as “life changing” for the island community, emphasizing the impact of bringing high-quality theater to such a geographically isolated location. Headteacher Rachel Lewin of Five Islands Academy echoed this sentiment,noting the unique power of “being in the room with the raw emotion” of a live Shakespearean performance.
The production features michelle Moran as Gloucester and Nkhanise phiri as the Fool, who, despite a turbulent ferry ride to the islands, expressed the importance of making Shakespeare accessible to all audiences. Phiri noted the unique challenges and rewards of performing in unconventional spaces, stating, “You have to adjust to each space, each audience. It’s a challenge - but good.”
Beyond performances, the RSC is also conducting workshops with students in participating schools, further solidifying its commitment to arts education and community engagement. The tour represents a important effort to counteract the erosion of arts programs and reaffirm the enduring relevance of Shakespeare for audiences of all backgrounds.
