King Lear (Williamson play)

King Lear
Written byDavid Williamson
Based onKing Lear
by William Shakespeare
Date premieredJune 1978
Place premieredAlexander Theatre, Melbourne
Original languageEnglish

King Lear is a 1978 Australian play by David Williamson. It is an adaptation of King Lear by William Shakespeare.

The play is commonly regarded as among Williamson's less successful plays and is rarely revived.[1]

The play was not published, in contrast with most Williamson plays, but a copy is available at the University of Queensland.[2]

Background

The play came out of a discussion between David Williamson and director Peter Oyston in 1977 about how to make Shakespeare more accessible. Williamson agreed do an adaptation of King Lear. The object was to put the play into contemporary, accessible English without changing the structure or philosophy. It was to be performed for a nine-week season at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University.[3] Oyston received a grant of $20,000 to help him with the production. Williamson completed his draft while lecturing in Denmark. The original cast had Reg Evans as Lear and Joe Bolza as the Fool.[4]

Reception

Len Radic of The Age said the production "must be given points for enterprise and daring" but said it and the adaptation were "dull".[5]

References

  1. ^ Dickins, Barry (13 May 1995). "Playing on the Water". The Age. p. 166.
  2. ^ King Lear at UQ
  3. ^ "Williamson's Lear Will Turn a Few Heads". The Age. 4 April 1978. p. 2.
  4. ^ Jillet, Neil (27 March 1978). "Lear without a Carlton accent". The Age. p. 22.
  5. ^ Radic, Leonard (29 June 1978). "Shakespeare Without Garnish". The Age. p. 2.


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