Updated: Jun 1
Every year, we give our own twist to a Shakespeare play and King Lear is no different. We will give you four characters, all with their different views of the world. We want to invite the audience to see the struggle of one specific character. Split into groups at the beginning, the character will tell you their backstory. You will experience the play differently, depending on whether your perspective has been influenced by King Lear, Goneril, Edgar or Edmund.
For us as the actors of these characters, these introduction monologues offer us more of the character we’re portraying. The idea that certain audience members know what’s most important to the characters, means that both character and actor can look into the audience for support and strength. Not one audience member knows the whole picture, but those who know our picture can be counted an ally, or even complicit.
This week we will be highlighting Gaia, who portrays Edgar, the eldest son of the Earl of Gloucester.
Here’s her point of view on the perspective of Edgar:
“For me the monologue gave even more depth to the character. It confirmed certain things and added even more character information, for example; that he’s grateful for Lear and Kent; that he sees kind qualities in his brother Edmund and the realisation that there are a lot of people less fortunate then he is.
I think it’s important for the audience to realise that Edgar means well and that the way that he phrases things comes forth out of things he has been, for him unknowingly, shielded from in a way.
It made me realise even more that every character has their own motive that is based on some steady points. And it made me very interested in how the opening monologues are going to impact the perception of the audience.”
