King John
The book on Shakespeare's history play: he wrote it when quite young (1587 or '89), and it doesn't compare with his later works. True, but guess what? Although the script's herky-jerky and hardcore declamatory (when in doubt, SHOUT!), it's also quite playable, as proved by the Intrepid Shakespeare Company's current offering. Codirectors Sean Cox and Christy Yael relocated the King's reign (late 12th, early 13th Century) to today, so the questions of commodity and legitimacy take on a postpostmodern tinge (i.e. what "borrowed authority" makes a king a king?). The actors need to curb excesses and speak the lines, first and foremost, to communicate. As John, the "most unkingly of kings," Tom Hall implodes before our eyes. Sean Cox's Bastard moves from outsider to insider, observer to agent, Cox supplying a rich palette of emotions. Wendy Waddell does a fine turn as Cardinal Pandulph, smooth of voice, manipulative as Machiavelli. Savvy Scopelleti gives tormented Constance all the right notes. Danny Campbell, Glynn Beddington, Eddie Yaroch also contribute. King John runs in repertory with The Taming of the Shrew.
Worth a try.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, June 6, 2010
Hours
| Sundays, 2pm & 7pm |
| Thursdays, 8pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 8pm |