THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kenneth Branagh leads a lucid, traditional production of Shakespeare’s newly relevant KING LEAR

Kenneth Branagh and Jessica Revell in “King Lear” at The Shed (photo by Marc J. Franklin).

This past week saw another high profile opening — the much anticipated production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear headlined by stage and film star Kenneth Branagh at The Shed. Rob Ashford’s production was first seen across the pond in London where it was an almost instant sellout, which is not surprising given the opportunity it presented to catch one of the world’s great Shakespeareans take on one of the most titanic roles in all of Western drama. That sense of occasion has followed the production on its journey stateside. Indeed, the New York run is similarly largely sold out.

In our current topsy-turvy world (e.,g., climate change-related devastation, fascism on the rise, etc.), the apocalyptic scenario conjured by King Lear seems very much newly relevant. Thankfully, Ashford’s clean and lucid staging is refreshingly traditional, free from forced contemporary or radical overlays (which seem less the exception than the rule these days) that often distract viewers from the underlying power of the Bard’s plays. Running at a brisk two hours without intermission, the production efficiently and matter-of-factly lays out the play’s cascading events, staying clear of the grandiosity that has accompanied many a production of King Lear. That’s not to say that the play feels rushed. On the contrary, the narrative flows in a concise and clear-eyed manner, neither cutting corners nor dwelling on the plays escalating horrors. 

Branagh is widely regarded as one of his generation’s best regarded and most well known Shakespearean actors (who can touch his heroic Henry V?), and his Lear happens to be one of the youngest I’ve seen. As such, the play shifts the focus from the feebleness old age to mental illness at large, which is a fascinating decision given current conversations surrounding the mental stability of our leaders. In the role, Branagh brings his trademark visceral energy and brash acting style — and he’s thrillingly in the moment throughout.  He’s surrounded by a fine cast, who nicely frame his volatile, varied performance — who knew Lear could be in equal measure funny and anguished? — while staying true to Ashford’s streamlined, to-the-point staging.

RECOMMENDED

KING LEAR
Off-Broadway, Play
The Shed
2 hours (without an intermission)
Through December 15

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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