'King Lear': Family Matters

30 March 2010

I had the fortune to acquire a free doublepass to see Bell Shakespeare's production of William Shakespeare's longest play, King Lear. Ended up attending with a friend, whom I wouldn't necessarily pick as the most interested in theatre and Shakespeare.

It turned out that the session was full of schoolkids, not surprising for a Tuesday matinee performance.

King Lear is not my favourite of Shakespeare's works. It's long, at times dragged out and depressing, but that is probably because as a reflection of the nastiness of human nature (in the form of Goneril and Regan) it strikes the viewer at a core of reaction, with its focus on some of the worst of filial relationships, betrayal, mutilations and various plots and murders.

The soundscape was interesting, with the musicians visible on stage, but to the left, with more sound effects than music.

Interestingly, the costume was historical, with the elaboration of the daughters' gowns contrasting with very minimal scenery, which ultimately emphasised the bleakness of Lear's later sufferings.

Overall, interesting and enjoable chiefly because I didn't have to pay for it, but reiterating my feelings of 'kind Lear' not being one of my choices of Shakie's plays to see.