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Premiere Ot* King Leai Given Rousing OvationA tangled tragedy is the final addition this season to the rotating repertory at the Asolo 1 heater, where “KingLear” premiered Saturday evening.The William Shakespeare classic, under the guest directionof William Woodman, emerges as an entertainment in whichthe playbill directs the audience to “Find in the play whatis relevant to you now.” Humor,abounds from the openingscene as Lear, played by Robert Strane, tosses his sallies to the audience and first nighters chuckled throughout, giving the company a rousing ovation at the conclusion of theperformance.In his interpretation of the role, Strane appears in the beginning as a rather pixie-petulant figure, erratically jabbing his bamboo-stick sceptor here and there and darting about the stage. The decline into lunacy follows consistently from this initial pitch, but almost to his dying breath, the character retains the capacity to pull forth another witticism from his quiver of quips.As the daughters, Goneril and Regan, Asolo Company actresses Isa Thomas and Martha J. Brown, are as wicked and hateful in expression and gesture as Cinderella’s stepsisters. The youngest daughter, Cordelia, is played by Joan Rue, who infuses her portrayal with the composure and regality of a queen and impatds^JJie7 sensitivity of a feeling heart. She, like William Leach hs Gloucester, has an endearing faculty for meaningful, lyrical elucidation of the poet’s words. Leach’s role is masterfully done, a strong, dignified presentation of the good duke, schemed against and ultimately mutilated, but a symbol of greatnessthroughout.Gloucester's sons are played by Stephen Johnson and Philip LeStrange, both of whom bring strong emphasis to their conflict of good and evil. LeStrange is an unmistakable villain; his delivery indigenous to the mind of a schemerand his appearance and presence believable as the objectof lust by Goneril and Regan. Johnson does well indeveloping his role to delineate the growth of the elder son into a man of strength, purpose and compassion.Also in the cast are Henson Keys, who brings a sturdy dimension to the role of Albany; Bernard Engel as Cornwall; Robert Murch as Kent; Burton Clarke as the Fool and Pat Hurley as Oswald, and members of the MFA company in other supporting roles.The stage set, by Rick Pike, is a well designed, functional construction which “plays” as an unobtrusive accessory to any and all actions. The backdrop’s suggestion of symbolism is enhanced by the multiple and effective lighting, a credit to Martin Petlock. Bert Taylor has done a good jobwith sound. Catherine King was in charge of costume design.
Newspaper Details
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Sarasota, Florida, US
Mon, Jul 28, 1975
Page 18
Full Page
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USA 29 Apr 2020
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