As a part of the curriculum, Barnard’s Shakespeare I class gives students the opportunity to attend a production of one of his many plays, find a specific directorial choice that we found interesting, and present an oral exposition on that topic.

One of Shakespeare’s most lauded works, King Lear, tells the story of its titular character and his attempt to make an “unburdened crawl towards death” by dividing his kingdom amongst his three daughters. He does this by giving them a love test in which they must orate the extent of their devotion to their father. When his youngest daughter, Cordelia, diverges from the insincere proclamations of love issued by her sisters, she is effectively disowned. However, we will witness Lear devolve into madness as the play documents the deceit, selfishness, and facades that characters have the ability to clothe themselves in.

Interestingly, there were very few props in the set design aside from a few weapons, which made transitions between scenes fast and the action remained uninterrupted. There was also no intermission, which helped to maintain a constant sense of tension throughout the play.

The Shed’s unique architecture allowed for the stage to be retracted. This made it so the depth of a specific setting could be adjusted by making the space seem deeper, or even by raising and lowering the stage’s ceiling. The ceiling was a notable feature upon first walking in. Its graphics could change to reflect either a calm sky or the stormy night that occurs during the mental devolution of many of our characters. A black hole remained at the ceiling’s center; one interpretation could point to the circularity of life and death, a prominent theme of the play.

The lighting and sound design were impeccable. Each choice felt intentional and built towards a seamless production. Each scene felt intimate and well choreographed, whether it was one of Edmund’s soliloquies, a conversation between Lear and his Fool, or a large-scale battle scene. 

Kenneth Branagh was incredible as King Lear. He infused Lear with a dosage of whimsy and earnestness that cannot be easily detected in the raw lines of the play. Where Lear is ignorant and egotistical in the source material, Branagh has brought him to life as a doting but insecure father. Lear’s physicality largely contributes to this reading. He is shown to be physically affectionate with his daughters, and in the early acts of the play he moves more like his Fool than any character matching his station.

This was my first time seeing a Shakespeare play brought to life, and it was a genuine treat. It is a completely different experience to see the play rather than just reading it. A character’s diction, body language, and even tone of voice can be completely different from what can be gleaned through simply reading. There were lovely performances all around and the technical elements contributed to a truly immersive experience.

I look forward to talking about the sound design of the play, which included heavy percussive elements that greatly added to the play’s intensity. Overall, King Lear was a poignant depiction of aging, family, and greed. This production depicted each of these themes with precision and intention. I look forward to the discussion this will produce in my Shakespeare class!

Theater via author