Principia College will present William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear Nov. 12–14 in the Davis Black Box Theatre on the College campus. The production features students who recently participated in an interdisciplinary study abroad program in Scotland and England. This is the first time Principia College has taken on Shakespeare's greatest tragedy since it was first performed in 1983.
As part of the program, students studied art, theatre, and history and spent two weeks in workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. There, they developed and performed a 45-minute production of Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It on the stage of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a replica of an indoor playhouse from Shakespeare’s time, where they had the unique opportunity to perform by candlelight, as audiences would have experienced theatre in Shakespeare’s era.
The King Lear production marks the College’s return to one of Shakespeare’s most challenging tragedies. Each student in the cast will take on a role in the play, alongside Principia Professor John O’Hagan, who recently performed in the U.K. and Ireland national tour and London West End run of the play To Kill a Mockingbird, earning critical acclaim and rave reviews for his performance. Director Chrissy Calkins Steele, who co-led the study abroad program, sees the production as an opportunity for students to discover the play’s enduring relevance.
“Over the centuries, this play has sometimes been described as ‘unactable,’ but these students, alongside Professor and professional actor John O’Hagan, are finding the power and relevance of this play for today,” said Steele. “Although the world of the play descends into chaos, brutality, and war, the power of love and forgiveness perseveres, bringing some redemption and hope to the world.”
The production’s visual design helps bring the world of the play to life. Scenic and costume designer Leah McFall, lighting designer and technical director Tom Halsey, and student costume designer Caroline Atukunda have created a setting inspired by Anglo-Saxon Britain, a world of kings and warriors.
The show runs November 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30pm and November 14 at 2:00pm in the Davis Black Box Theatre on the Principia College campus. Tickets are available at Principia Marketplace. More information is available on the College website: https://www.principiacollege.edu/student-life/arts-events/theatre-productions
To bring a student group or for more information, email: [email protected].
