LEAR Review: Solitaire (Fresnocentric)
Posted by: theatreventoux in Lear Reviews, ReviewsTonight marked the opening of Theatre Ventoux’s fourth show in the form of a madman named LEAR. An adaptation of Shakespeare’s KING LEAR, this play attacks the language and numerous plot lines with a hunger that is infectious to the audience. At the beginning of the play there is no doubt that Theatre Ventoux intends to tell you a story, which they accomplish with flair.
The tale of a powerful king that relies on the ‘blood is thicker than water’ mentality, who allows his power and ego to blind him to the truth, flies across the stage at the Cal Arts Academy, Severance stage. With a modern feel that is both here and now and classical, a theme Ventoux has perfected in this author’s humble opinion, this old tale is brought up to date with music, costumes and lighting. An almost bare stage allows the actors the opportunity to tell the story through actions and words. The director, Greg Taber, is to be applauded for the attention to detail in each actor expressing intent whether it be through an all cast chaotic movement or a cold glare from one of Lear’s daughters.
Sinister and sexy versus innocence and truth. The game board, that is present on stage throughout the production, serves as a potent tool for those characters who truly play a game with Lear. This cast is talented in handling the language and the emotional complexities this story demands. The story is tragic, and not because of the high body count at the end of the play, but because the deceit and the hunger for power causes more than one character to go into a state of disillusion and madness.
I, for one, greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication these actors put out there on that stage tonight. Seeing new depths to actors that I have not seen before was exciting and inspiring.
The show will be performing thru April 11th. Friday and Saturday night at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Please support our local theatre community and see this enjoyable production.
