The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 25.302  Wednesday, 2 July 2014

 

From:        David Richman <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

Date:         July 1, 2014 at 7:23:07 PM EDT

Subject:    Lithgow Lear

 

Like John Lithgow, I too have been working on Lear; performed it four times in Library Park, Waterbury Connecticut, during the last days of June, and have six more performances scheduled for Guilford, Connecticut, Aug 6 to 10; and a final performance in Newtown, August 23. I must respectfully disagree with John Lithgow. Lear, I think, does not slide into dementia. His madness releases him from inhibitions—and permits him to tell painful and difficult truths about himself and others; his topics range from incest, through poverty, to injustice. His remarks to Gloucester, in verse, are as sane as they are heart wrenching. The problem in the first two acts is to find the proper balance between rage and pain. Too much rage, and he forfeits the sympathy needful to sustain audience interest. Too much pain, and the necessary awe gives way to pity; and, as Medea tells us, pity is brother to contempt. 

 

This seems to be a year of Lears. Is a sense of rising injustice connected with a resurgence of interest in this play? 

 

David Richman 

 

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