Oxford Triptych Theatre, helmed by the veteran Simon Tavener, has a reputation for offering a modern twist on overworked classics, and this production of King Lear did not fail to live up to the hype. Tavener's production captures all of the expected themes with signature punch, however it is in cleverly placed background detail that he really brings something fresh to the play. He adds new meaning to old words with the clever use of blocking and gestures. Lear's 'Dry up these organs' speech is imbued with an uncomfortable sexuality in the smallest of motions towards Goneril's womb, which offers up the possibility that the sisters are the way that they are because they are the victims of systematic abuse. Staging is simple, with an unfurnished stage and a black backdrop providing a bleak and intense world of darkness. Blocks are used to create height, cleverly offering a physical sense of hierarchy which is often at odds with the hierarchy of power presented in the text.

The play's real success, though, lies in its flawless cast. Colin Burnie has clearly waited a lifetime to play Lear, and it really shows in his considered, intelligent approach to each line. His gravitas works well with Alexandra Hedges' gamine and youthful fool, a sweet and light performance which offers comic respite from the darker action. Joe Robertson also gives a strong performance as Tom, flitting between states of being with convincing ease. The real star, for me, however, has to be Brittany Ashworth, who manages to add an infrequently seen sense of fragility and vulnerability to the role of Regan, reminiscent of Diana Rigg's original performance in the Laurence Olivier film. The scene with Cornwall in which the pair egg each other on to further acts of depravity was disturbing long after the curtain fell, building to a crescendo which was unpleasantly like how one would imagine a contemporary killer pairing to work (though somewhat more glamorous).

In all, Tavener's performance is a great success, one of the best productions that I have seen in several years, and cementing Tavener's reputation as a discoverer of exceptional talent.