25 years on, Wooden O proves its reputation as one of the best Seattle Shakespeare companies with its King Lear, directed by Wooden O’s founding Artistic Director George Mount and animated by a stellar cast, featuring a brilliant David Pichette in the titular role.
A simple set, designed by Craig B. Wollam, adorns the park lawn, featuring four columns and a rigid metal platform, acting as Lear’s throne and kingdom as the play opens. This less-is-more approach is accommodating to the form of Shakespeare-in-the-park, fitting nicely about the lawn and also allowing for subtle variations in the placement of the set pieces; the columns fall and reshape, and the throne-platform slowly abdicates the stage as Lear’s power becomes more and more decentered in the wake of his ceded land to scheming daughters Regan and Goneril. This intentional design is met with subtle music cues and sound effects, courtesy of the careful Sound Designer Kyle Thompson. The fight choreography by Crystal Dawn Munkers has an invigorating intensity to it, especially a late-in-the-play conflict executed by the majority of the cast. As a technical feat, the O’s take on the tragedy of Lear is beautifully staged.
Of course, Lear would be nothing without the Mad King himself, and Pichette truly shines in the role. Playing him with a seriocomic pathos from the start, Pichette never lets the King become a perfect martyr or a perfect fool, bringing a layered depth to the famous part which only becomes more impressive as Lear becomes more unhinged. The storm scene is of particular excellence, allowing Pichette to fully empower his Lear with all of the character’s tragic potential, both societally downcast and self-defeating.
Accompanying Pichette is a sturdy cast without a weak link among it; perhaps equally impressive, if not just equally fun to watch, are Arjun Pande as the villainous Edmund and R. Hamilton Wright as his father Gloucester. The former sinks his teeth fully into Edmund’s villainy, crafting a villain
both endearing and malicious, while Wright’s Gloucester is a stalwart, steadfast presence against the escalating foolishness he is surrounded by.
Intense, comic, and above all a prime entertainment, Wooden O’s King Lear proves the company’s longevity is no mistake. It is an impressive start to their summer season.
Wooden O shows are free; for more information on their summer touring schedule, go to http://www.seattleshakespeare.org/shows/king-lear-2018/.