King Lear

Synopsis

King Lear divides his Kingdom between his daughters according to a declaration of their love for him. His eldest Goneril and Regan exaggerate their affection and inherit. His youngest daughter Cordelia speaks only the truth and is banished. So begins the tragedy of King Lear, whose dignity, sanity and finally life are torn from him by a self-seeking younger generation, ambitious for his power. What is love, what is madness, what is truth - Shakespeare explores these questions together with many others in King Lear, widely considered to be his greatest tragedy.

Our Review:

24 May 2001

Full marks to the Globe and its artistic director Mark Rylance. This season they've conceived an ambitious season of the Celtic plays: those pieces that touch on an almost mythical Britain, before the mediaeval historical plays. And what could be more ambitious than Lear? Nearly three and a half hours on the theatre's notoriously unforgiving wooden benches (or of course, standing) is an ordeal likely to win favour with the local osteopaths if no one else.

But in truth, this is a worthy effort, Barrie Kyle's production holds attention throughout; partly because it's taken at breakneck pace and partly because of fine acting. There have also been some interesting changes to the set - the galleries are bedecked with foliage and have small lights hanging off them, supposedly a more authentic recreation of the Globe's illumination. There is also a platform in the yard so the actors can speak from among the groundlings.

Julian Glover's Lear is a feisty, rollicking fellow,...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 18 June 2001:

Absolutely wonderful! The way that the actors and musicians used the whole of the theatre added a marvellous dimension to the experience....

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