Shakespeare in Performance: King Lear and the Two Gentlemen of Verona

Royal Ward, Ph.D.
Theatre History and Dramatic Criticism.

Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The class will examine the two Shakespeare plays to be presented by the Michigan Shakespeare Festival this summer. We will begin with The Two Gentlemen of Verona, an early comedy by the young and inexperienced playwright that nonetheless hints at the great romantic comedies to come. We will move on to King Lear, a tragedy written while Shakespeare was at the height of his powers. As different as they are, the plays are united by two of Shakespeare’s most enduring themes: love and loyalty.

Through class discussion and video excerpts of productions, we will examine some of the specific challenges the plays present to actors and directors. Jan Blixt (the Artistic Director of the MSF) will join us for a discussion of the plays and the particular points of view to be taken for the summer performances (if schedules allow).

To read each play, any edition will do, but I recommend the Royal Shakespeare Company [RSC] single-volume editions published by The Modern Library—they are good texts, inexpensive, and focus on production.

Bobbitt Auditorium
Bobbitt Visual Arts Center, Albion College
Get Directions