A Clear But Uninspired Lear

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

8/18/14, 4:28 AM "KingLear" @PublicTheaterNY at the Delacorte in Central Park played its final performance last night.  This Lear, directed by Daniel Sullivan and starring John Lithgow was clearly articulated, unevenly acted, and largely uninspired, making for a long evening.  It is the first less than successful Shakespeare production that I have seen with Mr. Sullivan at the helm.  Part of the problem for me, was that this production failed to convey most characters' motivations which lie beneath the surface language of the play and need to be carefully mined by the director and actors.  It was, nevertheless, a beautiful summer's night in the Park.