ALTON Fringe Theatre is commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakspeare’s death by performing King Lear in the autumn.

Chris Chappell and Catherine Gerlach (pictured) are the group’s co-directors and Chris said: “Several people have told us they would love to act but are nervous about coming forward. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with experienced actors and novices or work behind the scenes on sound, props and publicity to name but three.”

The company are holding workshops on Tuesday, June 7, at 7.30pm, and Saturday, June 11, from 9.30am, at Alton Community Centre. This is a unique opportunity for anyone at all interested in the excitement of live theatre.

The play takes us on a journey exploring Lear’s kingly decline. Is the fragmentation of his family and his lands a mirror reflecting a society in disarray? The juxtaposition with Lear’s mental frailty has so much to offer a contemporary audience. The poignancy of his story resonates across the centuries. It will be set in modern times with tragedy and humour running side by side.

There is a need for small groups of non-speaking parts for “poor wretches, loutish knights and humiliated housemaids” as well as the all-time-greats such as the ageing King Lear, his forgiving daughter Cordelia, the evil Duke of Cornwall, a conniving bastard son Edmund, and the hard, cold and ambitious Goneril.

There will be four performances of the play in the autumn at the Wessex Arts Centre at Alton College.

Anyone interested should turn up at either workshop, visit altonfringe.com or call Chris or Cath on 07815 670191 or 01420 80708.