SMU theater majors and select Meadow’s faculty members have united in what director and SMU alum Dan Day calls, “One of the most difficult plays written in terms of character relationships and journeys.”
King Lear, considered to be author William Shakespeare’s crowning artistic achievement, can be seen this weekend in the Margo Jones Theater of Meadows.
A co-production between Meadows and Dallas’ Kitchen Dog Theater, where Day serves as co-founder and artistic director, King Lear portrays the story of the aging King of Britain and the betrayal and tragedy which unfolds as he imparts his kingdom to his three daughters. With a universal theme, the show explores “what makes a complete human being,” according to Day.
The play opens with a ceremony at which each of Lear’s daughters is required to flatter him in return for a piece of the kingdom. Lear’s oldest, conniving daughters, Goneril- portrayed boldly and ruthlessly by Tina Parker- and Regan, falsely coax their father.
However, Lear’s youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia, remains silent, claiming she has no words to describe her love for her father. In the first of a series of violent outrages, Lear disowns Cordelia, banishing her from the kingdom. The two eldest daughters soon begin to undermine the small amount of authority their father has left, leading Lear to utter outrage, and eventually, moments of insanity and regret.
Assisting Lear is an elderly nobleman named Gloucester, who experiences his own family problems when his illegitimate son, Edmund, tricks him into believing that his legitimate son, Edgar, is attempting to kill him.
In one of the most violent and well staged scenes of the play, Gloucester’s eyed are removed by Regan and her husband, Cornwall, as a consequence for Gloucester’s loyalty to Lear.
The stories collide, leading to a climatic, melancholy ending where characters reunite, reaching an epiphany of their tragic flaws.
Gloucester, Edmund, and Edgar prove to be some of the most memorable characters of the play, with immediate motives established by each character, and a forceful dynamic between them.
Theater major Benjamin Lutz (BFA ’03) fufills the challenge of portraying the confounded Edgar, as well as disguising himself as an insane beggar called ‘Poor Tom,’ who offers elements of subtle comic relief, and finally as a champion avenging his brother’s treason. Edgar’s inclination to disguise and impersonation presents confusion at some moments, but Lutz gives an impressive performance in each aspect of the character, while Lynn Mathis, a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, provokes immediate empathy in his depiction of Gloucester.
The most unforgettable of the production, however, is Michael Connolly, an associate professor of theater at SMU, who evokes the spirit and character of Lear. Connolly is not afraid to take his time, which brings out a number of genuine moments, and displays his confidence as an actor.
In addition, Connolly completes Lear’s character arch to the maximum, stretching it to every emotional moment from greed and selfishness, to insanity and outrage, and finally to reassessing his values and becoming humble and caring.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the production is the combination of professional and student actors. “We really enjoyed working on such a challenging show with such a talented cast,” said cast members Lutz and Liza Marie Gonzalez.
“The variety of ages in the play contributed to the reality of the experience.”
Intertwined between the soliloquies and dramatic moments, the production is filled with suspenseful stage combat scenes, well choreographed and executed, on a simple, yet contemporary set.
Nearly ceiling high stacked square mirrors function as the daughter’s homes, some mirrors breaking as the family severs, and are well utilized as doors and windows. The costumes and lighting are dark and foreboding, and scene changes are often marked by loud, sharp instrumentals.
Day said, “I like to set Shakespeare plays in contemporary settings, because the plays are so much about what is happening today.”
The show runs at SMU Fri. & Sat. evening at 8pm and on Sat. & Sun afternoon at 2pm. Student tickets are $9.
Following the run at SMU, King Lear will show from Nov. 2-24 at Kitchen Dog Theater. “We are excited about the run of the performance,” said Lutz and Gonzalez. Every performance offers “another chance at exploration,” Day said.
