Subject: King Lear
Posted by: AcrylicInk
Date: Aug 15 17
I recently saw King Lear at the Globe. At the beginning the stage was covered in a kind of tarpaulin so it looked like a construction site. Gradually throughout the play, the actors took it down. Any ideas what the purpose or symbolism of that might have been?
Posted by: AcrylicInk
Date: Aug 15 17
I recently saw King Lear at the Globe. At the beginning the stage was covered in a kind of tarpaulin so it looked like a construction site. Gradually throughout the play, the actors took it down. Any ideas what the purpose or symbolism of that might have been?
12 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
Mixamatosis 
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I haven't scene this version of King Lear but I understand the Tarpaulin is used to create storm scenes. http://www.theartsdesk.com/theatre/globe-globe-king-lear-shakespeares-globe Reply #1. Aug 17 17, 4:00 PM |
| Mixamatosis
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Oops, My mistake. That link comes from 2012 it seems. I wonder if it isn't the same sort of idea though. Reply #2. Aug 17 17, 4:03 PM |
| Mixamatosis
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Or perhaps it symbolises the diminution of Lear's authority and the gradual loss of his sanity. Reply #3. Aug 17 17, 4:06 PM |
AcrylicInk
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It was fastened down and wasn't used to make noise. The mental breakdown thing seems like a good shout. Reply #4. Aug 17 17, 4:38 PM |
| Mixamatosis
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Care to write a review? I'd be interested to know what you thought of the production. Maybe others would too. Reply #5. Aug 19 17, 5:45 AM |
flopsymopsy
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Try googling on "globe king lear review" - there are several references to the setting in various newspaper reviews. Reply #6. Aug 22 17, 5:28 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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Thanks for the suggestion flopsy mopsy, but I was only wanting to hear about what our fun triva member thought. Reply #7. Aug 22 17, 5:00 PM |
| Mixamatosis
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Oops. Sorry flopsy mopsy, on second look, I don't think your comment was for me. Reply #8. Aug 22 17, 5:01 PM |
Creedy
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I expect, as the story progresses, it's meant to represent Lear's life being gradually deconstructed. His majesty and power and control as king diminish more and more. Still, a construction site is a bit too blunt for my taste. Did they happen to put just a bit of the site back up for his final scene? To match the brief re-emergence of the man he once was? Horribly sad scene when he staggers in carrying his dead daughter, Cordelia. "Howl, howl, howl, howl! Oh, you are men of stones. Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so That heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone forever..." Reply #9. Aug 29 17, 5:41 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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When I was 18 I started doing a degree in History, English and Law. I changed it for a different degree subject after year one, but in that first year Shakespeare plays were on the syllabus. Our lecturers were going through plays I'd already covered at school so, before the end of year exams, I read King Lear by myself. It wasn't a play they'd covered and I'd not covered it at school but I loved it. I managed to get 70% in the exam which then equated to the level of a "first"(just) had I achieved it at the end of my degree. I give a lot of credit to King Lear since my enjoyment of it helped me achieve that result I'm sure. I have had warm feelings towards it ever since and have seen it played now a few times in memorable versions. There were no gimmicks with the scenery that I can recall except for a Russian film version that was shot in the snow and I seem to recall that it was in black and white when I saw it. Reply #10. Nov 27 17, 3:15 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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I suppose Winter, the end of the year, is symbolic of the end of Lear's life. Anyone else seen any symbolism in versions of Lear (or any other Shakespeare play)? Reply #11. Nov 27 17, 3:19 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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Ian McKellen will be playing King Lear from October 2018 in the West End of London. https://www.boxoffice.co.uk/arts-and-theatre-tickets/plays/king-lear-tickets.aspx?referrer=BoxOffice&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_4a6s9aq2gIVC53tCh1UWA5FEAAYAiAAEgI39fD_BwE Reply #12. Apr 08 18, 6:27 AM |
12 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
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