Review: 'King Lear' by Connecticut Repertory Theatre

Storrs, CT - Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) on the UConn campus in Storrs opened their 2016-2017 season with Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ at the Harriet S. Jorgenson Theatre. The production coincides with the Folger Shakespeare Library’s national tour of a rare first folio that was displayed on the UConn campus through Sept. 25. Associate Artistic Director Dale AJ Rose, who has directed all but seven of Shakespeare’s works, directed this production of Shakespeare’s towering achievement that runs through Oct. 16.

The aging monarch (masterfully played by Equity actor Graeme Malcolm) resolves to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. In the process his family and his country are torn apart and so begins Lear’s descent into madness. We watch as the once proud king is forced to wrestle with morality as he confronts his own mortality.

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I was so impressed with the costume design of Raven Ong (3rd year MFA) whose work at CRT includes ‘Spelling Bee,’ ‘Laramie Project,’ and ‘Sense & Sensibility.’ Here he further shows his versatility by putting together a magnificent wardrobe for the descent of the royals; interesting choices for hair completed the looks. Although the purple and red gowns for Goneril and Regan were beautiful to look at, the parts that presented some challenges to the actresses when they moved could have benefited from a hook and eye or two. The fog machine was used well and the strobe lights enhanced the storm scenes, making for a visually beautiful production in every way.

Overall this was a beautiful rendering of a favorite play that aptly showed off the talents of the university students, making it well worth the long trip to their campus.