http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/01/18/king-lear/ DC's Liveliest Theatre Website Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:03:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/01/18/king-lear/#comment-33 Paula Y. Bickham Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:08:51 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/01/18/king-lear/#comment-33 Finally got to see 'King Lear' on 2/10/07. Just some quick observations of my favorite moments with the play. (1) The storm scene: So symbolic of the chaos and hell that had so suddenly enveloped and upended King Lear's rich and powerful world. Lightening flashes, rumbling thunder, darkness, hard rain, and everbody stumbling through it all. Lear had his own personal storm going at the same time agonizing over his daughters treatment of him and those who had turned their backs on him -- the very ones he thought had his best interest at heart. They were suck ups, parasites, brown nosers, apple polishers, who only had Lear's interest at heart so long as they stood to benefit from his powerful position. It was hard to feel sorry for him as it seemed he never quite grasped, until too late, his role in bringing some of this on himself in the way he treated people, even his own children. Lear had a rude awakening. (2) Then there's that dastardly, bastardly Edmund in his quest to turn his father against his half brother to better his station in life. Edumund's deceptions work quite well as he whispers lies to his father and then to his half brohter. Duane Allen does an exemplary job of cluing the audience in to Edmund's plots, and even takes the time to gloat over the progression of those plots. (3) The fight scene with the lovely Cordelia was wonderful - as a matter of fact, refreshing. I realized I had perked up a bit, and even caught myself smiling as the poor, little, soft spoken, trashed by her father, Cordelia knew what to do when it came time for her to administer a little kick butt blues to the enemies of her father: very man who disowned her. I thought, 'This, alone, should be a good reason to see this show.' The choreography was great. Finally got to see ‘King Lear’ on 2/10/07. Just some quick observations of my favorite moments with the play. (1) The storm scene: So symbolic of the chaos and hell that had so suddenly enveloped and upended King Lear’s rich and powerful world. Lightening flashes, rumbling thunder, darkness, hard rain, and everbody stumbling through it all. Lear had his own personal storm going at the same time agonizing over his daughters treatment of him and those who had turned their backs on him — the very ones he thought had his best interest at heart. They were suck ups, parasites, brown nosers, apple polishers, who only had Lear’s interest at heart so long as they stood to benefit from his powerful position. It was hard to feel sorry for him as it seemed he never quite grasped, until too late, his role in bringing some of this on himself in the way he treated people, even his own children. Lear had a rude awakening. (2) Then there’s that dastardly, bastardly Edmund in his quest to turn his father against his half brother to better his station in life. Edumund’s deceptions work quite well as he whispers lies to his father and then to his half brohter. Duane Allen does an exemplary job of cluing the audience in to Edmund’s plots, and even takes the time to gloat over the progression of those plots. (3) The fight scene with the lovely Cordelia was wonderful - as a matter of fact, refreshing. I realized I had perked up a bit, and even caught myself smiling as the poor, little, soft spoken, trashed by her father, Cordelia knew what to do when it came time for her to administer a little kick butt blues to the enemies of her father: very man who disowned her. I thought, ‘This, alone, should be a good reason to see this show.’ The choreography was great.

]]> http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/01/18/king-lear/#comment-32 D. Thomas Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:36:24 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/01/18/king-lear/#comment-32 Mr. Treanor is right on with this review.  In past productions of this play and indeed in readings of the work, I have always been moved to tears as the Great King comes to realize that Cordelia's love was true.  While I enjoyed the talents of the cast, the theatricality displayed,  the technical aspects brought to this productions: I felt not for Lear.  DMT Mr. Treanor is right on with this review.  In past productions of this play and indeed in readings of the work, I have always been moved to tears as the Great King comes to realize that Cordelia’s love was true.  While I enjoyed the talents of the cast, the theatricality displayed,  the technical aspects brought to this productions: I felt not for Lear.  DMT

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