Bell Shakespeare Co. Canberra Playhouse
Review by Shanna Provost
Bell Shakespeare’s Saturday night production of King Lear ably showed why this theatre company dedicated to only performing Shakespearean plays has endured for 20 years.
A crisp and sparse set; intelligent use of minimal props (fur coats are strategically positioned to set mood, tone and scene); clever use of lighting and sound and a stellar cast brings what is said to herald the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s career to life.
‘Elder Statesman’ John Bell AO, the founding father of the Bell Shakespeare, stamps a ring of authenticity on this production. He is engaging, and at 70, brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to arguably one of Shakespeare’s most challenging characters.
The audience sat mesmerised as Bell took his King Lear through his journey from caustic, arrogant ruler to bemused, bewildered and betrayed father with ease. Keeping the audience engaged and wanting to care about the unravelling of this pseudo-historical British king’s psyche is no small task, yet one that Bell pull offs seemingly without effort.
The supporting cast is strong, with Leah Purcell (Regan) and Jane Montgomery Griffiths (Goneril) providing rock-solid performances. Other standouts included Peter Caroll as The Fool and young bucks Tim Walter (Edmund) and Josh McConville (Edgar). Their very real performances provided the bridge for the Y Gens in the audience to ‘get’ Shakespeare’s always wordy and sometimes unwieldy iambic pentameter.
The Bard has written a brilliant plot that explores human frailty and our sense of humanity (Shakespeare does love to add a few untimely deaths to his plots).
Purposely written in pre-Christian times, the characters have nowhere to turn for answers but to themselves. It’s powerful, and the company’s minimalist set means that there are few distractions.
Percussion is the 16th character of the play-a clever use of sound brings the audience easily to the plot crescendos and rests. The only negative about Saturday night’s production was that at some points the percussion swamped the vocals, making it difficult to hear that beautiful text.
The 2010 production of King Lear by Bell Shakespeare Company is a gift to Australians on so many levels-a juicy journey for avid lovers of The Bard; a modern take on 16th Century plays for those dipping their toe into Shakespeare, and an accessible interpretation for young audiences who want to be introduced to the world’s most prolific playwright.
King Lear plays at Canberra Playhouse until 1 May 2010. For details go to www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au or phone (02) 6275 2700
