Trinity Repertory opens its
2012-2013 season with a stunning and memorable performance of Shakespeare’s
“King Lear.” Sparked by a brilliant performance by Brian McEleney in the title
role, the performance is sheer magic. It features a spectacular exploding set
and torrential rain on stage.
The Shakespeare tale of rampant
ambition and familial betrayals and love is non stop intensity that catapults
through nearly three hours of memorable theater. It is robust and relentless. From
the gut wrenching scenes of Lear’s laments to blazing battles, moments of male
nudity and a gut wrenching unsettling scene where Gloucester has her eyes
plucked, it is riveting and compelling.
Brian McEleney propels it all with
a vibrant, brilliant and unforgettable
performance as the king, driven into madness by betrayal and victim of ambition
and his own desire to be adored by his daughters. Mr. McEleney is poised and
perfect as Lear. He delivers an emotionally packed and thrilling performance.
His Lear suffers and churns with emotions as he watches the results of his own
actions, rewarding two daughters, expelling the third, who truly loves him. It
is disturbing and true to the heart, emotionally effective.
Christie Vela is devious and
relentless as the eldest daughter Goneril. She lusts after her father power,
ruthless determined to do anything to achieve it. Ms. Vela is pure venom in the role, insincere
and sweet when it serves her purpose, callous and determined when it does not.
Anglea Brazil
is equally wonderful as Regan, Lear’s second daughter. Like her elder sister
she too craves power and to replace her father by whatever means necessary. Ms.
Brazil delivers
a poised and slithery performance as the ambitious second daughter.
Abby Sedgeworth is Lear’s youngest
daughter, who truly loves him but will not satisfy his ego on his birthday by
exaggerating her love for him. When she refuse to do s, he is enraged and gives
her none of his kingdom, setting in motion dark events and violence. Ms. Sedgeworth
is a delight as the loving, sincere daughter.
Joe Wilson Jr. is wining as
Goneril’s husband, the Duke of Albans. Despite being loyal to his wife, he is a
man with a conscience.
Stephen Berenson is comic pleasure
as the Fool.
Phyllis Kay as the Earl of
Gloucester is winning as a person with morals and high standard in the face of
rampant oppression and injustice. Ms. Kay is delicately nuanced in her
performance giving a wide range of emotional truth and vitality. Her moral
conflict is palpable and intense.
Steven Michael Walters as her son
and heir Edgar is brisk and persuasive in the role as he squirms his way
through betrayals and convolutions which threaten his very life.
Lee Trull is gripping as his
illegitimate and scheming brother, Edmund. Mr. Trull is sheer slipperiness in
his political manipulations and contortions. He is polished and slippery as
this Machiavellian manipulator.
Hassan El-Amin as Kent
is the epitome of the dutiful supporter. He is loyal and determined in a
riveting performance.
Fed Sullivan Jr. as Oswald,
Goneril’s steward is a delight as a faithful servant wth few moral qualms
There is strong support coming from
Chamblee Ferguson as Regan’s husband, the Duke of Cornwall, Grant Chapman as
the King of France, Drew Ledbetter as the Duke of Burgundy, Brandon J. Vulcovic
as the herald and Alston Bornw as Curan.
The entire cast is a wonder as good
if not better than most of what I saw at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.
Director Kevin Moriarty delivers a
well honed production with endless vitality and nuance. He entwines the cast
with finesse and passion.
Michael McGarty’s set is
resourceful and simple at the same time. From the simple décor to the palace to
the collapsible walls to make way for the stormy rain scenes, it is effective
and impressive.
Craig Handle’s fight choreography
is stunning. The large battle scene moves with the elegance of a ballet and the
fierceness of any battle. The individual fights are just as effective and
impressive.
They received a well deserved
standing ovation to a delicious and magnificent evening of theater. It is a
must see performance.
"King
Lear" is up through Oct. 21. Tickets are $28-$68. Call 351-4242, or visit
trinityrep.com.
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