As with most plays from antiquity, Shakespeare is difficult to adapt for modern times. History is rife with sexism and racism and all of the other horrible-isms we’ve made so much progress against, and the stories of the times are not immune. Granted, Shakespeare is notable for his strong and complex female characters, yet they are often awful people.
Last year, I reviewed Theatricum Botanicum’s production of “The Taming of the Shrew,” and was most impressed with the way they were able to take one of his more painful pieces, rife with psychological and physical torture, and make it sweet. And somehow, those fantastic folks at the most magical theatre in Los Angeles have done it again with their production of “Lear.”
Gender-swapping the main characters and dropping the “king” from the title, “Lear” tells the famous story of the old monarch divvying up their lands to the children who can say they love them the most. In this version, Her Majesty Queen Lear divides her land amongst her three sons, yet when the youngest refuses to use empty words to prove his love, he is disowned by his mother and queen, and the lands meant for him split between his elder brothers.
The two sons with their new power quickly grow weary of their mother’s retirement shenanigans and kick her to the curb, causing her to go mad, wandering the forests of England. Because this is one of Shakespeare’s tragedies, everybody dies sad, unfortunate deaths.
Daughter of Theatricum Botanicum’s founder Will Geer, Ellen Geer brought Queen Lear to soaring heights of power and rage as well as heartbreaking lows of insanity and loss.
And this is where the beauty of directors Melora Marshall and Ellen Geer’s gender-swap comes in. In the original story, it’s a spurned father who loses his mind at his treatment by ungrateful daughters; making the monarch a mother victimized by sons greatly increases the sympathy the audience feels towards her and makes the play far more tragic.
This new layer of tragedy would not have been possible if it weren’t for the incredible performance of stage and screen veteran Ellen Geer in the titular role. Daughter of Theatricum Botanicum’s founder Will Geer, Ellen Geer brought Queen Lear to soaring heights of power and rage as well as heartbreaking lows of insanity and loss.
Supported by a strong cast of Theatricum regulars, including the always hilarious Melora Marshall as Lear’s Fool, a tragic turn from Alan Blumenfeld as the Earl of Gloucester and a skillfully fluid performance from Gerald C. Rivers as the often disguised Earl of Kent, Geer’s transition from powerful monarch to slavering fool is well worth the ticket price, and the incredible venue that is the Theatricum Botanicum is worth the trip up to Topanga.
Seriously, if you’ve never been to the beautiful outdoor theatre, you need to go, and “Lear” is the perfect play to start your love affair with this company and this location. Just be sure to try to go at night; it’s far more magical under the stars, and Topanga gets hot as hell during the day.