Theater Department Presents King Lear April 11-19

King Lear, which many critics believe to be William Shakespeare's most difficult play, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 11-12, and Tuesday-Saturday, April 15-19 and at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12, in the Mabee Theatre of the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center at Baylor University.
The tragedy tells the story of King Lear who divides his kingdom among Goneril and Regan, two of his daughters, and banishes his third daughter Cordelia. As a result of his decision, he plunges his kingdom into civil war, destroys his family and begins his own journey into madness.
"King Lear is about a king who had no sense of his or others' humanity and discovers that he is human," said Patricia Cook, professor of theater and director of the play. "While often interpreted as a play about old age and death and destruction, my interpretation is that King Lear is a play about the ego. When Lear's ego shatters, he undergoes a spiritual transformation that leads to his redemption."
The title role in the Baylor production will be played by Dr. Steve Peters, lecturer in theater arts at Baylor. Other cast members include Allison Lamb as Goneril, Regan Thompson as Regan, Stephanie Wells as Cordelia, Eric Shephard as the Fool, Kendall Cockrell as Gloucester, Kelly Parker as Edgar and Derek Phillips as Edmund.
Tickets for all performances are $7.
For more information, call 755-1865.