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Chu Omambala and Frank Langella. Photo: Johan Persson |
It’s long been a truism in theatrical circles that every actor of a certain age considers his career
incomplete until he has played the title role in Shakespeare’s King Lear. Without question, the
Bard’s proud monarch is a banquet for every seasoned thespian to feast on. Now, Tony Award
winner Frank Langella tackles the role.
Similarly, many a great director, from John Houseman to Jonathan Miller, has put his own stamp on Lear. Now, Angus Jackson takes his turn with this classic play. His production arrives at the BAM Harvey Theater on January 7 for a five-week run after a month-long stint at England’s Chichester Festival.
“It’s a play I always admired, and connected with emotionally, from the first time I saw it with Robert Stephens at the Royal Shakespeare Company when I was a teenager. I even remember the standing ovation,” says Jackson. “Then, a few years ago I did a production of Bingo by Edward Bond at the Young Vic with Patrick Stewart. That play is a bit of a riff on Lear and I did a lot of research on Lear while doing it. It got me thinking about the themes of the play, especially how people abuse their power and then injustice occurs. Plus, I love these dark, epic plays with these very compromised characters whose fortunes keep changing. It’s like a roller-coaster ride.”
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Chu Omambala, Catherine McCormack, and Isabella Laughland. Photo: Johan Persson |
Not surprisingly, Jackson was determined to put his own stamp on the production. “One of the first things I talked about with my team is the importance of the role of the Earl of Gloucester. He’s really Lear’s alter ego—another old man who’s having trouble with his children. I wanted this production to really balance these two stories and for the audience to see the parallels,” says Jackson. “I also wanted Lear to have a young Fool (to be played by Harry Melling of the Harry Potter films). I thought it would be an interesting to have this bright, boyish presence who keeps pointing out the older man’s folly.”
Equally important to Jackson are the show’s visual elements. “I really felt I wanted something different, and that meant everything in it should be very elemental,” says Jackson. “Anything the actors touch should be real, which means we’re using things like real stone, real wood, real water. It also points out the fact that before the play begins, Lear has only walked on this beautiful palace floor, but once he steps out into the rest of the world, the ground literally becomes uneven.”
If Jackson’s approach means the cast has to get a bit dirty, so be it. “When Edgar (played by Sebastian Armesto) smears mud on his face, it’s real mud,” says Jackson. “And Frank is being very bold. We soak him with water, muddy him, and he gets right in there.”
Reprinted from Dec 2013 BAMbill.
I.m really glad to have experienced this production, which on the whole, I found very strong.
ReplyDeleteThe second act, particularly, really demonstrated the horrible void which Lear and Gloucester live through---and it really drained me. Langella, of course, was magnificent; two performances that really stood out for me was the actor playing the Duke of Cornwall, (I don't have the program with me) and the young actor (I think his name is Rob Heaps) who brought incredible energy to his statement defending Cordelia as the King of France. Great strength also from the Gloucester family, and the actress playing Goneril had some amazing moments. I think ultimately Lear is one of the most difficult plays to bring off, but this production really got to the heart of it.
Frank Langella has such a strong presence and in my opinion was the perfect choice to portray King Lear! I was in awe when he first appeared on the stage (although I did get to see him in an Italian cafe before the production...of course I didn't approach Mr. Langella because he was privately having a bite to eat before performing). After about the first minute of his performance, I quickly forgot it was him and felt I was viewing King Lear for the entire show! What better compliment for an actor! The rest of the cast was excellent with "Edmund" & "Gloucester" standing out among the rest. Special effects were outstanding...my 2 favorites being the pouring rain scene with Frank Langella who was magnificent & the gouging of Gloucester's eyes; quite gory but so realistic! My only disappointment was the costumes of King Lear's daughters. They are supposed to be royalty but were dressed as peasants! This play is definitely worth seeing & Frank Langella is at his best!!!
ReplyDeleteFrank Langella has such a strong presence and in my opinion was the perfect choice to portray King Lear! I was in awe when he first appeared on the stage (although I did get to see him in an Italian cafe before the production...of course I didn't approach Mr. Langella because he was privately having a bite to eat before performing). After about the first minute of his performance, I quickly forgot it was him and felt I was viewing King Lear for the entire show! What better compliment for an actor! The rest of the cast was excellent with "Edmund" & "Gloucester" standing out among the rest. Special effects were outstanding...my 2 favorites being the pouring rain scene with Frank Langella who was magnificent & the gouging of Gloucester's eyes; quite gory but so realistic! My only disappointment was the costumes of King Lear's daughters. They are supposed to be royalty but were dressed as peasants! This play is definitely worth seeing & Frank Langella is at his best!!!
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