Synopsis

A surreal, fragmented journey through the life of King Lear, from childhood to old age, blending myth, history, and philosophical musings.

Howard Barker’s “Seven Lears” is an avant-garde reimagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear, exploring the monarch’s psyche through seven distinct stages of his life. The play begins with Lear as a curious child encountering prisoners in his father’s dungeons and progresses through his tumultuous reign, relationships, and descent into madness. Along the way, we meet an array of characters including Lear’s wives Prudentia and Clarissa, his daughters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, as well as his loyal advisor Kent and the enigmatic Bishop.

Barker’s non-linear, poetic text delves into themes of power, morality, and the nature of kingship. The play’s structure mirrors Lear’s fractured psyche, with scenes blending memory, fantasy, and reality. Through Lear’s interactions with his wives, children, and subjects, Barker explores the corrupting influence of absolute power and the psychological toll of rule. The recurring motif of The Gaol serves as a Greek chorus, offering commentary on Lear’s actions and representing the voice of the oppressed.

The play challenges traditional narrative structures, employing absurdist elements, dark humor, and poetic language to create a dreamlike atmosphere. Barker’s Lear is a complex figure, alternating between philosophical introspection and cruel indifference, as he grapples with the weight of his crown and his own mortality. The play invites audiences to question the nature of historical truth, the responsibility of rulers, and the legacy of power.