Nicholas Parsons brings Lear poetry to Clwyd Theatr Cymru

Sep 2 2009

NICHOLAS Parsons first fell in love with the work of nonsensical genius Edward Lear thanks to bedtime stories from his dad.

It took a collaboration with classical musician Edwin Roxburgh, however, to reawaken his interest., 30 years ago.

Nicholas, host of BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute and TV’s Sale of the Century, was roped in as narrator for Roxburgh’s piece in 1979.

"It was very Radio 3," recalls the actor, now in his 80s, from Edinburgh, where he’s been performing his Happy Hour Show, a mix of stand-up with guests.

"My father used to read to me when I was young – he was very busy as a GP but took time to come to the nursery to read Edward Lear or Lewis Carroll," recalls Nicholas.

The radio broadcast made Nicholas look again at the author’s work, and from it he created his stage show How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear, which he’s bringing to Mold’s Clwyd Theatr Cymru this month.

He illustrates Lear’s remarkably eccentric life through a skilful and enchanting delivery of the delightful nonsense verse.

Known as the Laureate of Nonsense, Lear was the 21st of 22 children and many of his siblings died at birth. He was short-sighted, asthmatic and bronchitic, and suffered epilepsy. After his father was made a bankrupt, Lear was raised by his elder sister, from the age of four.

"He suffered and like many children he escaped into the world of fantasy," said Nicholas.

"He was a child at heart and related to them very well. He was haunted by his epilepsy as people then thought it was akin to madness. It made him unable to make lasting relationships - he ran away."

Lear was also a talented artist, painting watercolours as a way of earning money to survive. Six Earls of Derby were his patrons and he spent much time at the family’s Merseyside seat between visits abroad because of his health.

Nicholas has appeared in the West End in Charlie Girl, Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods and cult musical The Rocky Horror Show. It will be a return trip to Mold for him, after bringing Just A Minute to the theatre a few years ago.

How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, September 10-12, tickets from £9 on 0845 330 3565. or clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk