King Lear – Location, Tickets, Reviews
Veteran actor Frank Langella stars in the title role in Shakespeare’s King Lear in a limited run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), through February 9, 2014.
For those of you less familiar with the play, it is a tragedy about a king who distributes his estate to his three daughters based on their flattery of him. His youngest daughter Cordelia cannot find words to compare her love to her father and is disinherited. Goneril and Regan, the elder sisters, carve up the country and drive their father into madness.
Maxamoo
We’ll just go ahead and say it: this is an extraordinary production. If you’re looking for quality Lear, you DON’T want to miss this.
Langella delivers a compelling and in-depth portrayal of the title role. He peels off the authority of a commanding king and reveals the fragility of an aging father who is fooled by false praise. When he runs into the woods in a stormy night, roaring in rage and remorse, even the most cynical heart is melted by the anger, regret, pride, and misery conveyed in his powerful monologue.
Robert Innes Hopkins’ set and Peter Mumford’s lighting make a fierce spectacle, in a manner you don’t get to see on stage very often. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances. Catherin McCormack’s Goneril is aggressive, while Lauren O’Neil’s Regan is deceitfully sweet and chilling. Max Bennett, who plays Edmund, is remarkable at bringing out a streak of humor in this treacherous character, and Harry Melling’s young Fool adds a hint of absurdity to ease the play’s profound melancholy. Fun fact, Melling played Dudley Dursley, the obnoxious cousin, in the Harry Potter movies.
Public Opinion
Everyone loved the performance we saw. The roaring applause at the end was one of the most enthusiastic we have witnessed.
From Twitter: @dramabookshop: #KingLear @BAM_Brooklyn not to be missed. Frank Langella is marvelous, of course but so is the rest of the cast. If you love actors, see it.; @mikebroberts: 3rd time seeing Frank Langella on stage and he was as bloody brilliant as ever. This time as King Lear at @BAM_brooklyn. Total class act.
Have you seen King Lear? What did you think? Share your thoughts in a comment below or tweet us at @maxamoo
Critic Reviews
The production opened to critical acclamation. Critics found Langella’s performance extraordinary, the design affecting, and the execution of the play marvelous.
New York Times
With Rage, He Flails in a World Gone Deaf
TimeOut New York
The wave of high-profile Shakespeare continues with Frank Langella’s take on the grief-madded monarch.
Variety
Super-clean staging and tight ensemble work provide strong support for Langella, who turns in a thoughtful, moving, and well-rounded perf that is only the teensiest bit hammy. (Die, already!)
Theater Mania
This riveting and violent Lear is now making its U.S. premiere at BAM’s Harvey Theater. It’s a revival of a classic that few are likely to forget.
Stage and Cinema
The production is 85% successful in most of its elements. But it’s that last 15% that separates the amazing from the sufficient.
New York Theater
Frank Langella carries this King Lear. He so effectively plays an old man who loses all his power that you never doubt Langella’s power as a performer.
TICKETS
$25-$125 (Click here for tickets)
DATES
January 7 – February 9, 2014
LOCATION
BAM Harvey Theater
651 Fulton St, Brooklyn
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
Three hours, one intermission
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Angus Jackson
Featuring Frank Langella, Sebastian Armesto, Max Bennett, Denis Conway, Isabella Laughland, Catherine McCormack, Harry Melling, Lauren O’Neil, Steven Pacey, Rob Heaps, Tom Mothersdale, Chu Omambala, Michael Sheldon, Parth Thakerar, Tim Treloar, Alan Vicary