King Lear Reviews- Page 2

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 9:22am

For me the biggest problem with the production, which I saw about a week ago, was the total, utter, absolute absence of anything remotely resembling even the vaguest whisper of an emotional connection between Lear and Cordelia.  There was nothing, zip zero zilch -- for the first time in my experience with this story I found myself imagining Cordelia on the throne of France, laughing laughing laughing and suggesting to her husband that there might be some nice real estate in her home country they could pick up cheap.  

The emotional centers of the play were Kent and Gloucester.  At least they were the night I saw it.  Maybe this issue has been addressed since then.  

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 10:11am

Regarding nominations, sounds like this one will be just like Gold's GLASS MENAGERIE - Lead Actress and nothing else.  

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 10:59am

I still won't be surprised if Glenda wins. Or, if it seems like Waverly Gallery is winning Best Revival (which I NEVER would have expected last fall), then May could swoop in. I'd give Jackson the edge for now, because she does press and will chat with voters, whereas May hasn't given an interview in years and doesn't really do public appearances. May might not even show up to the Tonys!

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 11:02am

SomethingPeculiar said: "I still won't be surprised if Glenda wins. Or, if it seems likeWaverly Galleryis winning Best Revival (which I NEVER would have expected last fall), then May could swoop in. I'd give Jackson the edge for now, because she does press and will chat with voters, whereas May hasn't given an interview in years and doesn't really do public appearances. May might not even show up to the Tonys!"

Have you seen Hillary and Clinton? Unless the reviews for that are mixed or negative, I think Metcalf could beat both of them. I still see Waverly taking revival, though- maybe Allen would win featured actress as a bookend? 

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 11:34am

I'll admit, it's a bit funny to see the show itself not get fantastic reviews but Glenda getting all the praise. But I'm not surprised. Lear is a very difficult show, and not a lot of people like it (a pity! I think it's one of Shakespeare's best). But I'm definitely not surprised on Glenda, good for her!

[east side story]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 1:03pm

Glenda only wins again if Hillary & Clinton gets savaged by critics. As of right now, I don't suspect that will be the case, paving the way for Laurie Metcalf to take home her third Tony. 

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/5/19 at 3:17pm

east side story said: "Glenda only wins again if Hillary & Clinton gets savaged by critics. As of right now, I don't suspect that will be the case, paving the way for Laurie Metcalf to take home her third Tony."

I still wouldn't count out Heidi Schreck here. I think she's giving an amazing performance and it would be a way for the committee to acknowledge "...Constitution..." since it's unlikely to win Best Play in a fairly stacked category. If Laurie hadn't won the last two years and Glenda hadn't won last year, I might be more reluctant to say that. But as it is, the committee might be more inclined to spread the wealth this year.

[BenElliott]

Posted: 4/6/19 at 12:48am

Caught this tonight and totally fvcked up by not knowing this play like the back of my hand, apparently. Therefore I was confused for just about the entire evening, which is on me, but I will say that when I see Shakespeare that's impeccably directed and acted, I have no issue understanding what's happening. That's not the case here and it's particularly unfortunate because I know Lear fairly well.... and I still had no idea what was happening. A big part of this is due to the voices. It was difficult to understand anyone in the show, even Glenda Jackson was occasionally difficult to hear. Just a lot of primal screaming with little to no enunciation. They were also wearing mics.

Anyways, I thought the design was gorgeous actually. The set is striking, surreal, and properly garish. The costumes were the same. Glenda Jackson is just a brilliant force. I can't say anything better than what the likes of Ben Brantley has already said about her. She enters the stage as this tiny old man, but she just fills the entire theatre. Ruth Wilson also remains unscathed and I hope she's remembered Tony time because her two roles are just beautifully performed. John Douglas Thompson and Jayne Houdyshell are also wonderful. Everyone else is just a little bizarre in their parts. Pedro Pascal seemed like he had never stepped on a stage before. He was barely audible and his choices were too small to read. The use of the ASL did nothing but make the whole evening confusing. I did like the music, however, and found it to heighten certain scenes, like Lear and Cordelia's scene in the "second act" that was truly beautiful and is worth the price of admission.

Gold has created some incredible and striking images here that are truly breathtaking. The orange heaters, the storm, the piles of rubble and money, the explosion. They're seared into my memory. Visually, this is King Lear meets Blade Runner, which is not a bad idea at all. However, he falls flat on his story telling and certain choices just don't work. Overall, it's just a muddled evening.

I think Jackson and Wilson might both land nominations. I'd love to see it nominated for set, lighting, and costumes, but I think most don't care for the design. I will say, this is definitely the best lighting of a play this year. I don't think Jackson should win here, however. Elaine May is still my choice for best actress.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 4/12/19 at 7:41pm

What a total incoherent, snoozefest. As the older woman sitting behind me said "I like parts of it, but what the f*ck is going on?" Put that on your marquee.

I think the biggest disappointment was Glenda Jackson, who just didn't work in the part for me, largely due to the direction. She just didn't seem to go on the journey that the role required. In fact, the cast was all pretty awful except for Ruth Wilson who was really wonderful. The sets, costumes, and lighting are beautiful, even if it's a paper thin concept surrounding it that makes you stratch your head the entire time. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to sit through this production again. I really cannot recommend this to anyone.