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A strong message compellingly sent with clarity and conviction. The characters and staging drew me in. I forgot I was in a theatre, and went with them to Kingston. This is a play with a message that all North Americans really really need to learn.
there is a minimum character requirement for this review post, but truly...there are no words to do this performance justice...
I've only been to a few plays before. Mostly with schools and such. I've actually seen King Lear in Stratford. Maybe it is unfair to compare the two, but this one was a bit disappointing. The concept was good and was well played through, but I felt that the acting was a bit below par. Not everyone, but I felt it was a bit under-dramatic considering it is one of Shakespeare's great tragedies. Also, there were quite a few times that the acting simply stopped; it seems that some of the actors forgot their lines.
Chosing a precolumbian, North-American theme as a background was a genial idea and actually made this an action-oriented and fast-moving piece.More consistency in the chosen native garments could have added more authenticity. Didn't appreciate that the stage was left in darkness (or half-darkness).for most of the time..Coming to a theatre I expect to seee the various players, not just hear. them.
This production of King Lear was unique and the casting was perfect. For the first time, all ages in the family were able to understand and appreciate William Shakespeare. Peter Hinton's final production was truly memorable.
Great adaptation of the play! It was very well thought out and executed.
Loved the sets, the cosutmes and the lack of phoney British accents. It was also an honour to see so many well loved, well known Aboriginal actors in my favourite Shakespeare play. Well done!
I'm a huge fan of Shakespear. When I bought the tickets, I didn't pay attention to the show's description. It turns out that the director created the show with a twist. It was set in 17th Century Canada with a cast of Aboriginal actors from across the country. I wasn't a fan. I thought it was super boring. The actors were terrible. The only one what was outstanding is Jani Lauzon in the double role of Cordelia and The Fool. She was great, funny and talented.
First of all, the costumes were wonderful period pieces from the early 1600's, the time of writing King Lear. The script was verbatim Shakespeare and this is where it got difficult for me. Calling a native in period dress a Duke or King or similar just was too much of a stretch for me. The whoops and hollers when the group went off to chase or fight were great, it's just the names that really threw me. Overall, though, well acted.
King Lear performed by an all indigenous cast. A great idea carried out by a great cast of actors. It may have been more interesting if, since the location and costume were already changed, the names were changed as well. Seeing members of the cast being called Gloucester was a little strange - why not go all they way and make an even bigger statement by reframing the characters.
I would recommend this production with reservations: I think Ronnie needs an assistant director to do some stage-directing. There were several segments of the performance where his emotion took over the dialogue and there was - a) too little separation between the voices to discern who was speaking. b) run-on dialogue that was hard to follow in critical places of the story-line. The production was very complicated and wonderfully organized with some marionette's having 'costume changes', - ie: versions of the same character. Our group all liked the 'walking-frame' lady's action - very convincing. My 88-year old mother felt rather challenged, but was intrigued, if a little mystified.
It was an incredible one-man show. A great display of talent.
It was a thought-provoking and interesting performance. I'm glad I saw the performance but it's not something I would care to see again, having seen it once. There were many dark moments in it, which I found disturbing. Some scenes haunted me, following the performance. Is that entertainment?
This production took my favourite venue at the NAC, the Studio Theatre, and turned it into a huge, cavernous space. Peter Hinton staged the show in the round to great effect, with absolutely beautiful a cappella singing and stunning lighting. Definitely worth a see.
Great play. Very creative and easy to follow. Intimate setting and actors spend some time interacting with the audience before the start. It did feel little rushed near the end
Anyone who has ever had a piano, or any music lesson has got to see this production....I smiled, laughed or reminisced throughout the entire production!
A must see for any music student, former music student or fan. Wildly funny but accurate in the trials and tribulations of advancing through the Conservatory music program.
Heard lots of good reviews on Two Pianos Four Hands prior to the performance, so I had high expectations. They really lived up to it. It was indeed an excellent performance!
The entire show was an incredibly experience. Besides the fact that the piano playing was incredible, the story was hilarious and so real. I felt like I was being read stories from my diary. Anyone who has ever picked up an instrument, or even played a sport can relate.
for anyone who has been brought up in a home where music training was part of the daily activity, this show will hit home. very funny.
