Theatre News

Petherbridge's Perfect Mind revived for Young Vic and tour

The acclaimed show centres on a stroke the veteran actor suffered while rehearsing for ”King Lear”

Edward Petherbridge and Paul Hunter in My Perfect Mind
Edward Petherbridge and Paul Hunter in My Perfect Mind

My Perfect Mind​​ starring Edward Petherbridge is being revived at the Young Vic later this year ahead of a national tour.

Created by Told by an Idiot and directed by multi award-winner Kathryn Hunter, the show sees Petherbridge reflect on the impact of a stroke he suffered while rehearsing for the role of King Lear.

Petherbridge is joined on stage by co-writer Paul Hunter, who plays everyone from his hospital consultant to Lear's fool.

According to press material:

Edward Petherbridge was rehearsing for the role of King Lear when a major stroke left him barely able to move. In the space of 24 hours, he had gone from knowing one of the greatest parts in Western drama, to not even being able to move his thumb and index finger together. As he struggled to recover, he made a startling discovery: the entire role of Lear still existed word for word in his mind. In My Perfect Mind, Edward reflects on the remarkable coincidences that struck him between that period of his life and the story of one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters.

The revival, a co-production with the Young Vic, where it was first seen last year, will run there from 2 to 25 September 2014.

It will then tour from 29 September to 15 November, visiting the Tobacco Factory, Bristol; West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds; Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Unity Theatre, Liverpool; and the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

My Perfect Mind features design by Michael Vale, lighting by Alex Wardle and sound by Gregory Clarke.