Pure Id.

King Lear: Days 10 and 11

I started this weekend by interviewing a few of the cast members for a behind the scenes video I am constructing. It was cool to speak with my colleagues one on one about their process and interpretation of the show. I appreciated everyone's openness and candor as it helped me solidify some of my own feelings on Lear. The video will follow shortly.

We completed a full run-through of the play and began solidifying some of the interpretations we have been working with. It is so reassuring to see all the work starting to become evident and it gives me a deeper appreciation of the importance of an ensemble and what each actor brings to the table. Paul Schnabel (Kent) and Chris Edwards (Edgar) have really stepped it up and clearly defined their actions. Both playing roles within roles, it would be so easy for them to lose the layers and complexity of their actual character's perspective. They have, however, meticulously carved out their alter identities and offered us all a distinctive view into their attempts for salvation and loyalty. It will be a feat not to be missed.

Mark had a discussion about the "pure Id" of Shakespeare. This simply means that all the subtext of each character is externalized and poses certain problems for contemporary understanding; though it can make for much less investigative work into a character's background. This all sounds very scientific but ultimately comes down to the involvement of the audience and the authors attempts to give them an inside look into the characters emotions and objectives. Anyone watching will feel as if the story is being told directly to them, which is unique in itself.

I guess it can be said that theater is a sort of therapy, at least for me. Having been lost in the great shuffle of New York for the past couple of years, I am finding that acting gives us an inside look into the human condition and forces us to identify with some of the common themes that resonate with all. Also being aware of the similarities and differences between yourself and your character makes you more self aware and empathetic at the same time. Not many other professions I can think of offer that. And for the audience, it offers a perspective into a world that may not have been witnessed before. The heritage and history of our oral tradition had it's roots set in our ancient ancestor's ceremonial rites and rituals. Thousands of years ago, around a fire, there was an old, wise elder laying the groundwork for our little production in Burlington Vermont. May we do his story justice!