Front Row Centre reviews KING LEAR

The fall theatre season has only just begin, yet already it has produced a dramatic benchmark by which all future productions will be measured. As staged by Joseph Ziegler, Soulpepper Theatre Company's production of KING LEAR is a model of tight pacing enhanced by outstanding performances.

First and foremost is William Webster's Lear, whose slow descent into madness is meticulously calibrated, creating a rich three-dimensional portrait.

Patricia Fagan brings grace and charm to Cordelia: Too honest to offer false flattery to win her father's favour and doomed because of it. 

Playing her avaricious sisters Goneril and Regan are Nancy Palk and Brenda Robbins. These ladies command the stage whenever they appear and both give mesmerizing performances.

As the cad who romances both of them, Jonathan Goad as Edmund is evil personified. He can be sexy and cold-hearted all at once.

Just as riveting is Les Carlson's take on the Earl of Gloucester, and

David Storch in the dual roles of Edgar and Tom. Diego Matamoros provides the plays few light moments in his role as the court jester, and it is regretted when he vanishes from the play halfway through.

In fact every single role down to the court pages is given a thoughtful and nicely- nuanced performance.

Richard Feren's music and sound design adds immeasurable to the production, as does Kevin Lamotte's lighting. The one anachronistic note thrown into all of this is the costume design by Christina Poddubiak that mixes traditional styles with some startlingly modern garb. If the intent was to emphasize the timelessness of the piece it is not needed. The production speaks to that element very effectively.

The play is a long one, and the decision was made to play it with just one intermission, making for two rather long halves, but with performances this fine the hours seem like mere minutes.

Those who think Shakespeare is something you are forced to study in High School are in for a treat: This is a riveting production that keeps the audience focussed from start to finish.

Soulpepper Theatre Company's production of KING LEAR continues until October 18^th at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District. For performance schedule and tickets call 416.866.8666 or visit www.soulpepper.ca