‘King Lear’, now running in Buffalo's Delaware Park, is one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, though the agonies the king suffers are largely self-inflicted. Theater buffs in the area can see a performance of the classic over the next couple of weeks.
In the play, Lear is tired of ruling, and wants to divide his kingdom among his three daughters – Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. In order to decide how to do so, he asks the three to tell them how much they love him. Goneril and Regan flatter him, but Cordelia does not. He banishes her and divides the kingdom between the others, who turn on him and finally drive him mad.
Significantly, Lear's wife does not appear in the play, and two of the three main female characters are monsters. With no softening female influence, the world of Lear is masculine, violent, and bleak, but also powerful and compelling.
There is a mystical element to the story, which director Steve Vaughn and set designer David Dwyer emphasize. Vaughn sets the action in some unknown time and place, without metal, where tools are made of bone and people dress in skins and wear tribal makeup. Dwyer has carried out Vaughn's vision using woods and other raw materials.
The play is on now in Delaware Park, at 7:30 pm from Tuesday through Sunday until July 15. Admission is free.
Events like this can benefit if presenters work with a flyer printing company to create a handout tracing the themes of the play.
Location
505 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
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Hours
Mon: 9:00 - 5:00
Tue: 9:00 - 5:00
Wed: 9:00 - 5:00
Thu: 9:00 - 5:00
Fri: 9:00 - 5:00
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed