There is a review on the BBC website with a lovely short sentence about Damien. I will just quote that and post the link for the whole review.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41531398

But Damien Molony, who is superb alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the Channel 4 comedy Crashing, is such a brilliant Edmund that he can be forgiven.

For anyone interested, I've done a bit of a reviews round-up for damienmolony.org  (DaMo-centric of course!)

Included are some fave twitter reviews, really hoping to hear from more fans soon!

If you have seen King Lear, we'd love to hear from you, and don't forget to come and vote in the poll!

KING LEAR Reviews Roundup: “Triumphant”, “Insightful”, “Intensely moving” – and a “devilish” Damien Molony

© Manuel Harlan

The Chichester Minerva Theatre opened its doors for King Lear press night on Friday 29 September, and was met with critical acclaim.

The theatre’s contemporary re-telling of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, directed by Jonathan Munby, has received 4 or 5 star reviews across the board, with mainstream press describing the play as “triumphant”, “insightful”, “finely acted”(The Times), “Smart, lucid” (The Guardian), “clear-sighted, “visceral” (Evening Standard), “superb”, “intimate” (WhatsOnStage) and “intensely moving” (The Stage).

The intimate space of the Minerva and designer Paul Willis’s set with circular stage design was positively received, with reviewers appreciating the more compelling, nuanced, close-up performances it allowed. Particular mention was given to the ‘storm scene’ in the reviews, with rain pouring down on the actors, and the audience in the front row!

As leading man, Sir Ian McKellen received high praise for his “intelligent”, “profound” and “detailed” portrayal of the King, and the entire ensemble cast were commended for their performances.

Damien Molony as Edmund in King Lear. © Manuel Harlan

Damien also received praise for his portrayal of Edmund as a “wily, devious and resentful” (British Theatre Guide) “smooth-talking Irish charmer” (WhatsSonStage), “downright casual in his serial wickednesses, almost sociopathic.” (Financial Times)

The Times applauded Damien and Jonathan Bailey, saying the pair “excel” as the two warring brothers Edmund and Edgar. The British Theatre Guide complemented the “extremely well executed” “frighteningly credible fierce” fight scene between the two, choreographed by fight director Kate Waters.

Jonathan Bailey and Damien Molony as Edgar and Edmund in King Lear. © Manuel Harlan

So that’s the press, but what did the audience think? Here are our favourite reactions in Twitter land so far! (We’ll add more as they come!)

.@ChichesterFT's #KingLear is the best version I've seen. The Minerva's intimacy really works in its favour; some stunning performances.

— Mind the Blog (@Mind_the_Blog) October 5, 2017

@damienmolony Such a thrill to see you in your first Shakespearean role last night. You capture Edmund's menace perfectly. Congratulations😀

— AnitaMarguerite (@CynthiaGiles14) October 1, 2017

OMG #kinglear was amazing @ChichesterFT @damienmolony @JonnyBailey @IanMcKellen

— Dawn Hart (@Dawnelvisxx) October 2, 2017

Another production of King Lear and another completely different Edmund - compelling work from a devilish @damienmolony.

— Debbie (@Deborah_Deborah) October 5, 2017

Bravo to Damien, cast and company on the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to King Lear, which runs at Chichester Festival Theatre until 28 October.

We fervently hope for a West End transfer and a recording or broadcast for the successful production!

Have you been lucky enough to see Damien in King Lear? We’d love to hear from you! Share your reactions and vote in the poll here!

So....yeah.....I saw King Lear on Friday night (sorry for the delay in posting!). And it was absolutely excellent!  .....not sure I can add much to what's already been said.

The whole production was great - modern Shakespeare can often seem a bit....forced....a bit ill fitting. But every little thing works here.  The Minerva may be an intimate space, but at times the scale of the production feels much bigger than the size of the theatre......although it was wonderful to be so close as to see all those small gestures and hear every little sigh.  And the entire cast were brilliant - Kirsty Bushell was especially amazing as Regan.

And, of course, Damien played the bastard perfectly, or the perfect bastard....

I'm not sure why, but I'm really happy that he kept his own accent. There aren't many laughs in King Lear (not even from the Fool!) but Damien managed to get a couple, as he (quite literally) stuck his finger up at the gods, and there was a kiss with Goneril which was just amorous enough, and lingered just long enough to elicit a quiet murmer from the audience.  I have to confess that I may have been grinning a little inappropiately when he came on in the army fatigues - and the fight between Edmund and Edgar was really quite glorious.

It's a definite 10 out of 5 from me 

Oh yes...I nearly forgot!!  I was sitting at the end of the row and got there stupidly early which meant I had to stand up to let everybody past.....and who should come past to sit just a few seats away from me but Roisin Conaty!!! I was so gutted that I was on my own and couldn't nudge somebody in the ribs and whisper loudly "Look!! It's Roisin Conaty!!!"

 Fifi, fantastic, that you liked it so much. I'm glad for you.
What a funny story about Roisin.  (But i know exactly what you mean when you have a great experience and there is no one to laugh with in that moment)

Thanks Rosie!

Here is another great blogger review, with a lovely mention of Damien:

"Damien Molony’s Edmund is a role that is too often played to as a calculating pantomime villain. Here, Molony’s soft Irish brogue offers an Edmund imbued with an embellished evil that again comes with a classy credibility."

Read more here: King Lear (at Chichester) - Review | Jonathan Baz Reviews

Wow, what can I say. I was Saturday night at the theater and it was a fantastic experience.

First I must say it is a great little theater and indoors totally cozy.

To the play it is difficult to add something new. It has already been written so much. It was such a great performance of all actors, especially by Ian McKellen and Kirsty Bushell as Regan ( next to Damien of course). It was as described in the reviews. Jonathan Baily has also played a fantastic role. But personally I found the role unattractive. To somehow weep. My heart goes with the bad guys (only in the cinema, TV or theater of course).

We sat in the first row and I exactly next to the 2nd entrance (there is one exactly in the middle, through which also the spectators go and a 2nd entrance, which is somewhat narrower). I am not very tall, but my feet were somehow in the way. And with Damien's first apperance (he was the first one to come through this course), he ran through the entrance and almost stepped on my feet.

It was so fantastic to be able to experience him so closely. He was so focused all the time. He played Edmund so well. Not too evil, more imagined and convinced of himself (and his deeds) in the beginning. But to the end he was very devilish and evil.

I could see the special gestures for Damien (he always points with the middle finger on something), or his facial expression when he is annoyed (I love it ).

Damien also had some scenes on the stage alone, he has a great presence and has also completed the stage alone.

I had unfortunately some problems to understand everything (especially when the half-naked Jonathan Bailey was standing right in front of me or Damien past me).

Dawn had already described the costumes . I also liked most the carmouflage outfit (i own the same shoes (Magnum Boots), how funny).

It is actually so different to see a play live and not in the cinema. However, I would also like to say that the size and arrangement of the theater played a big role, that I liked it so much.

I did not get wet, but I got some drops in the face and Damien's coat against my head.

In the end, I was surprised how many dead people there were. Probably I was the only one who did not know how the play ends. But it is a great story.

Oh, the scene with the eyes I found not bad. I know it is played, so I am more interested in how it is done. But: After the theater, we walked through the city, where we saw a man lying in front of a pub. He was just beaten into the face. Great excitement, police comes and as we walk by, I saw a lot of blood running down the sidewalk. That was bad.

Nevertheless, it was a unique experience and if Damien participates in another play, I would probably come again. 

Sana wrote:

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Wow, what can I say. I was Saturday night at the theater and it was a fantastic experience.

First I must say it is a great little theater and indoors totally cozy.

To the play it is difficult to add something new. It has already been written so much. It was such a great performance of all actors, especially by Ian McKellen and Kirsty Bushell as Regan ( next to Damien of course). It was as described in the reviews. Jonathan Baily has also played a fantastic role. But personally I found the role unattractive. To somehow weep. My heart goes with the bad guys (only in the cinema, TV or theater of course).

We sat in the first row and I exactly next to the 2nd entrance (there is one exactly in the middle, through which also the spectators go and a 2nd entrance, which is somewhat narrower). I am not very tall, but my feet were somehow in the way. And with Damien's first apperance (he was the first one to come through this course), he ran through the entrance and almost stepped on my feet.

It was so fantastic to be able to experience him so closely. He was so focused all the time. He played Edmund so well. Not too evil, more imagined and convinced of himself (and his deeds) in the beginning. But to the end he was very devilish and evil.

I could see the special gestures for Damien (he always points with the middle finger on something), or his facial expression when he is annoyed (I love it ).

Damien also had some scenes on the stage alone, he has a great presence and has also completed the stage alone.

I had unfortunately some problems to understand everything (especially when the half-naked Jonathan Bailey was standing right in front of me or Damien past me).

Dawn had already described the costumes . I also liked most the carmouflage outfit (i own the same shoes (Magnum Boots), how funny).

It is actually so different to see a play live and not in the cinema. However, I would also like to say that the size and arrangement of the theater played a big role, that I liked it so much.

I did not get wet, but I got some drops in the face and Damien's coat against my head.

In the end, I was surprised how many dead people there were. Probably I was the only one who did not know how the play ends. But it is a great story.

Oh, the scene with the eyes I found not bad. I know it is played, so I am more interested in how it is done. But: After the theater, we walked through the city, where we saw a man lying in front of a pub. He was just beaten into the face. Great excitement, police comes and as we walk by, I saw a lot of blood running down the sidewalk. That was bad.

Nevertheless, it was a unique experience and if Damien participates in another play, I would probably come again. 

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 Sana! Thank you so much for sharing your King Lear experience with us all! What a truly brilliant write up

You've really given us an excellent sense of how close you are to the play/ actors and Damien. WOW! And I loved hearing about Damien being on the stage alone. Oh to see him delivering Edmund's soliloquies - a special experience indeed.

Lol, yes Shakespeare tragedies tend to end with everyone dying, and his comedies with everyone marrying! 

So happy to hear you had an amazing time, especially after travelling so far. Really sorry to hear you witnessed the incident outside the pub :( it sounds like the tragedy continued outside the theatre. Please don't let it put you off coming again!

Thank you for adding your vote to the forum poll too - that is 3 votes in total now. Woohoo!!!

Maghat wrote:

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Sana wrote:

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In the end, I was surprised how many dead people there were.

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This just made me laugh out loud All Shakespeare's tragedies have a pretty high body count - this site reckons King Lear is number two in the charts!

So glad you enjoyed it Sana! I wouldn't worry about not understanding everything, I'm sure the vast majority of the audience at any Shakespeare play would say the same - if it's well performed, you get everything you need to get in any case!

 

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ahh, do not laugh.

But I liked it. So I'll maybe look the next time the number 1.

Calling all fans who have seen Damien in King Lear

(You lucky things!)

We'd love to hear what you thought!

and don't forget to vote in the poll!

Sorry for typos. I typed all that on a train, on my phone!!!

Wow, what a great report. you explained it all so well and I could see it again in front of my eyes. I still can not believe that I was really there and enjoyed this great play.

I'm really sorry that you were feeling sick and you could not watch the first part. but luckily you have already seen it before. and how nice for you that Ian McKellen gave you the leaf. a nice moment. I can not remember if he did that too.

How lovely to have this production as your first ever exposure to King Lear, littleimpulse! Thanks for sharing so much about your experience of the play.

So sorry to hear you felt poorly during the second performance. I'd be fairly sure the actors are wrapped up enough in doing their job (if it's immersive for the audience, imagine what it must be like for them!) that they wouldn't have noticed a seat that had been occupied had become empty. It sounds like you managed to slip out without creating any disturbance and at least you felt well enough to go back in after the interval and engage fully with the performance, even though it must have been frustrating to have to watch on the screen for so long. What a lovely thing to be on the receiving end of the leaf, too!

If you don't already know it, the "No Fear Shakespeare" stuff from SparkNotes is an accessible and interesting guide to many of the plays. You might have fun exploring some of the stuff about themes, motifs and character notes. The one on Edmund ends with this comment about his dying statment:

His peculiar change of heart, rare among Shakespearean villains, is enough to make the audience wonder, amid the carnage, whether Edmund’s villainy sprang not from some innate cruelty but simply from a thwarted, misdirected desire for the familial love that he witnessed around him.

Here's the SparkNotes entry for King Lear if you're interested!

As for the peculiarity of Lear's actions, there's been quite a lot of discussion recently about it being a study in dementia. In the recent NT production, Simon Russel Beal went so far as to identify exactly what form of dementia he felt Lear was suffering (Lewy Body dementia) and used some of the physical manifestations of the disease as well as the mental ones.