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the
arts
Isabel
Warrington takes a peek at the local culture scene
King
Lear
The story of
a King, who, due to advancing age, decides to abdicate his throne
and divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters sounds simple
enough, and is familiar with people the world over.
What complicates this plot is Lear's sheer short-sightedness –
his failure to predict that two of his daughters would eventually
kick him out of their houses and out of their lives. The destiny
of the third daughter, honest and loving towards her father till
the very end, is one inextricably woven with Lear's own tragic tale.
What truly elevates this story to the level of "the maxims
of world theatre" and also what is considered to be one of
Shakespeare's greatest plays, is the sheer imaginative and intellectual
depth which he imbues it with.
The themes of the play are immense and profound – the nature
of love and respect; gratitude and ingratitude; human justice and
the laws of nature; sight and insight, and lack thereof; use and
abuse of power; cruelty and kindness; assumed and real madness;
the naked soul contrasted with the richly clothed body. All these
aspects of the play are explicitly woven in the development of the
story, but to an even greater extent, implicitly carried forward
by the dense imagery of Shakespeare's verse.
Even though King Lear is seen as daunting task, THEATREWORX, the
company who gave us the very successful "ART" at the Manoel
Theatre a few months back, took on the challenge to produce this
masterpiece. "Yes, it is an immense and demanding play to stage,
but we as THEATREWORX believe we can make it work. This play has
never been performed in Malta before. Another first is the venue;
the M.I.T.P. Theatre in Valletta which offers exciting staging possibilities,
as far as we know has never hosted a Shakespeare production from
a local company. Other than this, it worth noting that "KING
LEAR" at present is a study text for A level and University
students. In fact we will be reserving the performance of the 3rd
May specifically for students, who will be given a specially discounted
offer on tickets."
Manuel Cauchi, who is playing the title role of Lear says: "
Yes, this is a mammoth part; it is a play that never loses its overwhelming
sense greatness and power not just for the actor playing Lear but
also in all the other characters so brilliantly written by the Bard.
With every reading of the play you are taken deeper and deeper into
a world which at first may seem totally improbable and surreal but
then you find, through this tortuous voyage of discovery that Lear,
with all his complexities, in truth, is already here in all of us.
Any father who has ever been hurt and offended by his offspring
knows how deep a scar he will carry for the rest of his days. Our
task is to translate Lear the myth into the Lear we all live"
Also taking part are: Michael Tabone, Charles Sammut, Stephanie
Farrugia, Karen Montalto, Abigail Mallia, Jo Fuller, Joe Pace, Victor
Debono, Pierre Agius, Daniel Mercieca, Malcolm Galea and Alan Fenech
amongst others. Direction is in the hands of Salvu Mallia, who designed
the play specifically for the unconventional space of the M.I.T.P.
theatre.
This production is being presented in collaboration with the Ministry
of Education and Culture. The performance dates for King Lear, are
3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 May 2001 at 7.30pm at the M.I.T.P. Theatre, St.
Christopher Street, Valletta. The performance of 3 May will be exclusively
for students who will be given a discounted ticket on presentation
of their student card.
Booking opens on 18 April from the following outlets;
Sapienzas Bookshop – Valletta, tel:233621, Agenda Bookshop,
Plaza Complex, Sliema, tel: 331910, K.K.U. c/o Precincts Office,
University of Malta, tel: 32902236, 32902997, and one hour before
each performance at the theatre. Discounted tickets for students
can only be bought at the theatre one hour before the performance
of 3 May and the KKU Office only.
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