King Lear
In Adrian Noble's valuable book, How to Do Shakespeare, the former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company teaches a master class on the subject. His direction of King Lear at the Old Globe puts his teachings into practice. I have never heard the story told better. Like Coriolanus, whose "heart's his mouth," the cast makes thought and speech one. Bruce Turk's nimble Fool, Catherine Gowl's firm Cordelia, Jonno Roberts's Edmund (as funny as he is vile), and especially Jay Whittaker's multivoiced Edgar make each moment brand new. Robert Foxworth's Lear begins puffed up and regal and ends, 20 years older, like a dying candle extinguished by its wax. But his always-competent performance lacks size. Foxworth could tweak the narcissism and suggest that it masks a profound instability at the King's core. Deirdre Clancy's costumes begin upscale, in the 18th Century, and then fan out as they come forward in time. Ralph Funicello's spare set includes dark, castle-high walls and autumn leaves on the floor (swept away in the wintry second act). Shaun Davey's original music handles the entrances well but is absolutely unnecessary when Lear and Cordelia reunite (she, strangely, not in his arms). At this point the audience doesn't need music to tell them how to feel! (Note: King Lear runs in repertory with The Taming of the Shrew and The Madness of George III; call the theater for days and times of each.)
Critic's pick.
When
Ongoing until Thursday, September 23, 2010
Hours
| Sundays, 8pm |
| Tuesdays, 8pm |
| Wednesdays, 8pm |
| Thursdays, 8pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 8pm |