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Article: King Lear And The Great Stage of Fools.(Arts&Entertainment)(Review)
- Article from:
- The New York Observer (New York, NY)
- Article date:
- March 15, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The New York Observer. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: John Heilpern
I'm reluctant to express disappointment with Christopher Plummer's performance of Lear in Jonathan Miller's production of the vast, impossible tragedy at Lincoln Center. At 76, the great classical actor has put himself to the fire in the most unrelenting role Shakespeare ever wrote, and all who play the mad king--it is said--are bound to fall short of unimaginable things.
The debate about Lear's nature will go on forever; the swirling, surreal comfortlessness of the unfolding tragedy tests the audience as well as the actors. But from the outset, Mr. Plummer sees the king as a geriatric Lear or "a stupid old baby" (in his own ...