Word: lear
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...Carnovsky-Fletcher "King Lear" was first presented by the Connecticut Stratfordians in 1963. With some changes in the supporting cast, the production has been remounted, and will play in repertory through Sept. 11. Because of the extraordinary interest in this show, three additional performances have been announced to supplement those originally scheduled: August 12, 19, and 26 at 8 p.m. Since I discussed this production at great length in these pages two years ago, it seemed worthwhile this time around to request an evaluation from a person who has himself played the role of Lear. Harold R. Scott...
...fourth and final offering of the season, the American Shakespeare Festival has come up with its first revival of a production: the Morris Carnovsky-Allen Fletcher concept of King Lear...
...Carnovsky has certainly deepened his Lear, not only conceptually but also through lovely nuances of acting and timing and some strangely effective gestures and line-readings--such as his tapping of his crazed skull when he asks poor Tom o' Bedlam (who by now has become his "philosopher"), "What is the cause of thunder?" (Act III, Scene 4), thereby linking quite appropriately the storm on the heath and the storm in his tormented mind...
...wits by anger and frustration does not go loony; he goes mad! As it is, the character fails to grow, fails to come to grips with his own follies and errors, and--worst of all--fails to learn humility, which is what makes one willing to believe that Lear is truly "a man more sinn'd against than sinning" (a line, by the way, that Mr. Carnovsky feels obliged to repeat...
This failure is most blatantly apparent when he asks to stay out in the storm to pray before withdrawing to the hovel, and then remains standing through the prayer--which is one of the most self-revealing and humble speeches Lear has. Mr. Carnovsky's standing somehow kills the humility and adds a touch of defiance, which is compounded by his choosing to kneel once the prayer is over...