Week 7:
so my last entry i was trying to share my thoughts on King Lear but my head was only inches off the keyboard owing to my severe sleep deprivation over the last few days. Anyway, so we watched two different adaptations of King Lear in our lecture this week and i must say, the James Earl Jones version, which was actually a stage production that was filmed, was really impressive.
"Meanwhile we shall express our darker purpose"
I particularly liked the tribal feel to this production, the staging, lighting and costuming all combined to deliver this above statement perfectly. The fact that the play could be adapted and shown from a different cultural perspective only adds to the universality and timelessness of Shakespeares writing. This adaptation had a ceremonious feel to it. I actually found it to be quite intense, perhaps due to the shadowy effects of the lighting (or lack thereof) complimented with the flame on the sides of the stage. The costuming also added to this effect, with the inclusion of dark or grey coloured material and the leather peices also contributed to the tribal atmosphere. There was also an intensity of feeling in the movement of play- it was quite fast paced and Lears movements, although of an aging man , were in sharp contrast to his emotion and intonation. Goneril and Regan played their roles as one would expect, with a carefully-measured-although-exaggerated feel. i almost thought that they were sincere. similarly, the two 'evil' daughters were more decorated than cordelia, perhaps symbolic of their superficiality. The inclusion of the map on the floor as a prop also added to the tribal flavour, transporting the audience away from the traditionally stuffy BBC film versions of Shakespeare's plays...
one of which i am about to discuss...
In this film version of Lear we encounter more of the classical shakespeare that i've come to expect from BBC productions- the setting and costuming was more typical, in the sense that it was quite elaborate and regal- coloured robes, slow classical music and an even slower king lear. This portrayal of Lear magnified the King's old age as he slurs at his daughters to adorn him with their sentiments of love. Again, both Goneril and Regan were played as a little more precious than overstated but i got the same message with tongues planted firmly in cheeks. this adpatation, unlike the Earl Jones version had much less movement and brighter lighting wih candles rather than torches. the result was more of an illuminated and thus seemingly less powerful Lear.
i would absolutely LOVE to see this staged in person
mood:
out of it
"Meanwhile we shall express our darker purpose"
I particularly liked the tribal feel to this production, the staging, lighting and costuming all combined to deliver this above statement perfectly. The fact that the play could be adapted and shown from a different cultural perspective only adds to the universality and timelessness of Shakespeares writing. This adaptation had a ceremonious feel to it. I actually found it to be quite intense, perhaps due to the shadowy effects of the lighting (or lack thereof) complimented with the flame on the sides of the stage. The costuming also added to this effect, with the inclusion of dark or grey coloured material and the leather peices also contributed to the tribal atmosphere. There was also an intensity of feeling in the movement of play- it was quite fast paced and Lears movements, although of an aging man , were in sharp contrast to his emotion and intonation. Goneril and Regan played their roles as one would expect, with a carefully-measured-although-exaggerated feel. i almost thought that they were sincere. similarly, the two 'evil' daughters were more decorated than cordelia, perhaps symbolic of their superficiality. The inclusion of the map on the floor as a prop also added to the tribal flavour, transporting the audience away from the traditionally stuffy BBC film versions of Shakespeare's plays...
one of which i am about to discuss...
In this film version of Lear we encounter more of the classical shakespeare that i've come to expect from BBC productions- the setting and costuming was more typical, in the sense that it was quite elaborate and regal- coloured robes, slow classical music and an even slower king lear. This portrayal of Lear magnified the King's old age as he slurs at his daughters to adorn him with their sentiments of love. Again, both Goneril and Regan were played as a little more precious than overstated but i got the same message with tongues planted firmly in cheeks. this adpatation, unlike the Earl Jones version had much less movement and brighter lighting wih candles rather than torches. the result was more of an illuminated and thus seemingly less powerful Lear.
i would absolutely LOVE to see this staged in person
mood:
out of it