King Lear — William Shakespeare

Praxis Theatre Company

Premiere: Thursday, November 23, 2023

King Lear is presented at the Theatre of Kefallinias Street in an original adaptation that condenses the play, merging characters and situations into a paradoxical theatrical event, where contemporary theatrical language meets Shakespeare’s primal associations—without betraying either the spirit or, at key points, the letter of this celebrated classical work.

The Theatre of Kefallinias Street returns, after several years, to its collaboration with Stathis Livathinos, presenting—in a version and adaptation by Stratis Paschalis—the foremost work of the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

Written in 1609, during a period in England when many literary forms flourished and theatre was at its height, King Lear stands as a timeless masterpiece of world dramaturgy.

The play has been translated into a great many languages and has been performed in almost every country in the world—many times over in some of them.

The subject of this Shakespearean tragedy concerns King Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and the youngest, Cordelia. The one who convinces him of her love will receive the kingdom. The aged king, despite the counsel of the Duke of Kent, disinherits Cordelia and banishes the Duke…

At the core of the Theatre of Kefallinias Street production lies the notion of provocation. After all, can there be theatre without provocation?

Source: Kefallinias Street Theatre