An old man gives away his kingdom and learns what love actually costs.
King Lear has three daughters, but no sons. Boldly he makes a decision to divide his kingdom among his children, but fails to anticipate the consequences of his actions. His generosity is cruelly repaid and Lear finds himself adrift, wandering homeless and destitute. As he comes to realize the false values by which he has lived, he finally encounters his own humanity.
Acting
McNally's descent from monarch to broken animal is shattering.
Production
Open-air Globe staging lets weather become character.
Director
Nancy Meckler
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This production emphasizes Lear's dementia as physiological, not just metaphorical — the Globe's thrust stage makes his confusion physically engulf the audience.
Anjana Vasan (Cordelia) later starred in 'We Are Lady Parts' — imagine her punk energy channeled into Shakespeare's most wronged daughter.
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