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Modern Setting Makes King Lear More Relevant
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Stacy Keach as King Lear (image from Shakespeare Theatre Company)
Since I'd heard that the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of King Lear was rather violent, I was a little concerned. But after getting a glimpse of the production at the open rehearsal and attending a theological discussion, I decided to go ahead and see it. I'm already squeamish about violence on television and the movies, would it be too much to see it enacted live? For the most part, no. There was a part that a friend who saw it with me looked over and said was a bit much and I agreed, but overall this was a production that fit the times because we are accustomed to a certain level of violence. And the sets, particularly the ones for scenes set outside, were quite realistic and in keeping with what people used to television might expect.
At the theological discussion they remarked that the director, Robert Falls chose to set Lear in modern times (war-torn Eastern Europe) because he wanted it to have an impact; he didn’t want people to think the destruction of a family and eventually a nation was something that happened elsewhere. I enjoy productions in the dress of Shakespeare’s day, but they do allow the audience to distance themselves from what is going on in some ways.
While waiting for the train after seeing King Lear, I got into a discussion with some others who had also been at the show (it was Young Professionals night, so tickets were available for $10 for people under 35). One person remarked that it was amazing that the plot of King Lear was still relevant today. We talked about how the contemporary settings and costumes helped to drive this point home. So Mr. Falls accomplished his mission.
For all of its violence and display of man's inhumanity to man, King Lear also was threads of humor woven into it. This is an element that can be overlooked if the direction and delivery of the lines is not executed well. In this case, the humor and the horrors of the human condition shone through.
See The Shakespeare Theatre Company's King Lear before the show closes on July 19.
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