King Lear Successfully Performed by Kiev National I.K.Karpenko-Kary University of Theater, Cinema and Television, Ukraine
On the afternoon of October 24th, 2017, a spectacular performance with Ukrainian national characteristics was successfully performed by Kiev National I.K.Karpenko-Kary University of Theater, Cinema and Television, Ukraine at the proscenium stage in Changping Campus of the Central Academy of Drama. All the Ukrainian students performed with reverence and even the director Bogdan Beniuk acted as King Lear personally. All the audience felt the sincerity and enthusiasm from the university.
The play integrated complex human emotions and social problems as a whole, such as foes relationship between the father and his daughters the cooling of love, exhaustion of friendship, breakdown of family as well as national unrest. The breakup, betrayal, intrigue, emptiness, madness and all disruptive disorders were integrated, divergent and diffused in the name of “King Lear”. The performers not only tried to resolve Lear's own problems, but also made efforts to find a balance between Shakespeare's original works and the Ukrainian art style.They managed to interpret the problems occurring in Shakespearean time in the light of current Ukraine situation.
The entire performance lasted for 60 minutes. Unique Ukrainian culture was also incorporated into the performance. Lighting and music material were rich and widely used. At the beginning and at the end of the performance, a painting drew by the famous Ukrainian artist, Maria Primasovko, was projected on the huge curtain behind the stage. The simple and rustic painting showed us profound human wisdom. The opening music was also a traditional national work--“Wind”. The director also boldly inserted a play "Stolen Happiness”, written by the famous Ukrainian writer --Ivan Franko, into the play of "King Lear". Many problems occurring in the play of "Stolen Happiness" were similar to that in ancient Greek works and Shakespearean tragedies.
Director Bogdan Beniuk thinks that the world theatre is in its renaissance period. He said that he wants to gather the best parts of all performers so as to present the audience an emotional and powerful play. That is quite important for theatrical performance. Contemporary works reflect the real life and current problems in modern society.The audience may think that they could relax in a theater or cinema. But it is common to see that the audience keeps their mind firmly on drama performance. In his view, it is a victory for overcoming the passive awareness of the audience. Indeed, this play did it.
The performers and director had always been thinking a question: "What did make King Lear crazy? And which key plot did outrage him so that he exiled his little daughter?" Finally, they found that there was a very simple reason that King Lear lost his face in public because of Cordelia’s words. Human beings embrace complicated minds. It is worth conducting a study on different faces in humanity. Lear was also a complex and multifaceted person.He was extremely painful and regretful because his impulsion caused the death of his little daughter. But importantly, he still survived. So the Fool eventually said "when people find the balance in their souls and inner peace in their minds, they would understand that facing one’s own life directly is their last but right choice." As Shakespeare also said in"King Lear","The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune""Stands still in esperance and lives not in fear."