Review: KING LEAR

Forward Theatre's new production of King Lear is something to behold.  Director, Tommy Taylor has taken Shakespeare's tragedy, streamlined it to 90 minutes and staged it as a series of fast-moving confrontations. 

Taylor's concept is to present the at times extremely violent story with what he describes as a number of Norse inspired twists, using costumes and weapons with a Viking theme. It succeeds in giving the show a distinctive look. The reviewed performance, a daytime school matinee, had the young audience riveted from start to finish.

The excellent cast had a lot to do with that.  Jamie Mason is beautifully staid as the rigidly honest Cordelia. In this production she also doubles as the fool. This is not without precedent, and as director Taylor indicated in a post-show discussion with the students there are hints that perhaps Shakespeare intended the roles to be played this way. It certainly works in this production and allows Mason to show off different talents as an athletically amusing Fool.

Her avaricious sisters, Goneril and Regan, are well played by Mimi Nahri and Theresa Joy. Whether laying false praise on their father or cat fighting this pair enlivens the stage whenever they appear. Robert Rainville is deceptively duplicitous as Edmund, the illegitimate son who romances them both.

David McCormick who choreographed the fights, does a splendid job as both Edgar and Naked Tom, able to instantly switch between the two characters.

In the title Role Charles Foster plays the aging Lear with the required senile vanity. He also makes some of the Lear's lighter moments enjoyable yet believable.

The performance is presented on an open stage using simple draping. Thanks to the performances and direction, time and place are always immediately established. The lighting design created by Taylor assisted by Lance Braithwaite, aids immeasurably in this, as does the excellent use of sound effects and music, although some of the music cues were abruptly terminated.

Those unfamiliar with the text will have no problem following the action, while those who have seen other productions may find themselves wondering what has been eliminated because the text flows so beautifully from scene to scene.

  

King Lear plays Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 PM at the Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive.  Tickets are $15-$20 and available by calling the box office at 905-306-6000. For more info go to: www.forwardtheatre.com.

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