(Community Matters) Greed, old age, insincere flattery to those in power, powerful mens’ susceptibility to flattery, deception, murder, morality, deceit, remorse.
Pete Postlethwaite as King LearSteven and I are staying in an old favorite (Fielding House) in Covent Garden. Vibe of the West End all around us and easy to walk the few blocks to the River Thames and across the Waterloo Bridge to the South Bank. I’d never been to the Young Vic – a terrific theatre complex with ample bar, restaurant and warehouse-fashion theatre which probably seats 600. Not sure whether good karma or luck of the draw, but when we called earlier in the day, there were two seats to last night’s performance of King Lear, despite that the run has been sold out.
The production is led by London’s hottest young director, Rupert Goold who’s just been named associate director for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Goold weaved in time in the form of characters and references from our contemporary world. Not sure if he intended to shake thought from the 17th century but that’s exactly the effect when modern commandos and Zapatista-style warriors enter the stage on behalf of the King of France and Cordelia, respectively.
Couldn’t help thinking – what’s the lesson about the transfer of power between generations? the lesson to be remembered about the resistance to transfers of power? which is Rush Limbaugh, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner? Is there a lesson here for BHO and his supporters?
Postlethwaite and Tobias Menzies (as Edgar) give truly outstanding performances, as did John Shrapnel as the Duke of Gloucester. The entire company, performance, set design and lighting quite brilliant.
Community Matters 