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| Photo: Johan Persson |
King Lear runs at the BAM Harvey Theater through February 9. Context is everything, so get even closer to Frank Langella and the rest of the production with this curated selection of articles, videos, and original blog pieces related to the show. For those of you who've already seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.
On Frank Langella
Article"Frank Langella Steps Into King Lear"
(The New York Times)
"It’s a play about finding [Lear's] mind, not losing it," says Langella.
Article
“Frank Lagella: Legend of the Fall”
(The Guardian)
First came the seductive l'homme fatal . Then came rock bottom. Now comes a career’s crowning moment.
Article
“Frank Langella: Call Me Mr. President” (The Telgraph)
For Langella, “King Lear is about a big shot who throws away his disguise and unlocks a Pandora’s Box.”
Video
David Edelstein Interviews Frank Langella (Vimeo)
The actor discusses his career—sexy Dracula and all—with the New York Magazine critic.
Video
Scene from Frost/Nixon (YouTube)
A climactic scene from Ron Howard's award-winning film, featuring Langella as the embattled president.
On King Lear
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| 1608 edition of King Lear |
King Lear: A Shifting Landscape (RSC.co.uk)
Shakespeare scholar Peter Holland examines the diverse responses provoked by the Bard’s tragedy.
Audio
Reduced Shakespeare: King Lear in 34 Seconds (NPR)
An abridged take on Lear from the ever concise comedy troupe.
Miscellany
10 Facts about King Lear (RSC.org.uk)
Shakespeare didn’t have to go with a sad ending? Lear was banned from the stage during the reign of King George III?
Article
“Shakespeare and the Uses of Power” (New York Review of Books)
Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt dissects one of the Bard's most prevalent themes.
Shakespeare scholar Peter Holland examines the diverse responses provoked by the Bard’s tragedy.
Audio
Reduced Shakespeare: King Lear in 34 Seconds (NPR)
An abridged take on Lear from the ever concise comedy troupe.
Miscellany
10 Facts about King Lear (RSC.org.uk)
Shakespeare didn’t have to go with a sad ending? Lear was banned from the stage during the reign of King George III?
Article
“Shakespeare and the Uses of Power” (New York Review of Books)
Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt dissects one of the Bard's most prevalent themes.
Worthwhile Words
Frank Langella on overcoming hardship to play Lear:
Now Your Turn...
So what's your verdict? Once you've seen the show, tell us what you thought in the comments below.
Frank Langella on overcoming hardship to play Lear:
At 50 I was stone-cold broke, I had no agent, two young children. I'd moved from New York to London for a play, it was a failure. I had to start my career all over again, I had to borrow money for the first time in my life. I was really on my ass [...]There were so many things I did wrong. But I did one thing right. When everything was going really bad, I didn't panic. I simply said OK, you're in the gutter, you need to get out. It might take you a month, it might take you six months, it might take you five years, but you will get out. Don't go and do crap. Don't sell out. And that's why I'm playing King Lear. (More)
Now Your Turn...
So what's your verdict? Once you've seen the show, tell us what you thought in the comments below.