From January 24-March 24, The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is staging William Shakespeare’s Haring Lear (King Lear) at The PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City. The Filipino adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy was in partnership with the British Council and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA). It is directed by Nonon Padilla, translated by Bienvenido Lumbera and feature actors including Teroy Guzman, Garry Lim, Nor Domingo, Abner Delina, Jay Gonzaga, Myke Salomon, and Jack Yabut.
Haring Lear follows the realization of King Lear (Teroy Guzman) after he divided his kingdom to the two of his daughters Gonerill (Nor Domingo) and Regan (Garry Lim) after giving him of words of devotion and loyalty. Instead of giving another part to his youngest daughter Cordelia (Abner Delina), he disowned her and gave her to the King of France after she said the truth about his cruelty as the king. After stepping down King Lear discovered that he was now useless in the eyes of his daughter who are now enjoying his wealth and kingdom. King Lear later discovers that all along it was Cordelia who will save him and take care of him on the sunset of his life.
And on the other side Edmund (Jay Gonzaga), the illegitimate son of Gloucester (Jack Yabut) plots rage between the queens Gonerill and Regan by offering his love and power. Also he seeded fear to his brother Edgar (Myke Salomon) thinking that their father is planning to kill him. But all what he did later back fires to him and those who believe in him perish with him.
Being it is a Shakespearean play, PETA sticks with the concept of all male performers which what they did during the time of Shakespeare. But what’s wonderful on this presentation is that it is modern and innovative, PETA is known for it. Stage design, lighting, props and costumes were great. It shows how dark King Lear story was and adding a gothic approach to make it more modern and youthful taking away the big gowns and costumes.
Philippine National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera translated King Lear perfectly and makes it easier to understand. Theatergoers can actually feel the fear, dissolution, anger and pain in every line now that is translated to Filipino. Characters Teroy Guzman, Garry Lim, Nor Domingo, Abner Delina, Jay Gonzaga, Myke Salomon, and Jack Yabut really gives life to each character that I read on the novel of Shakespeare during my academe year. This was my first time to see it on stage and in the flesh unlike other Shakespearean works like Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth. I am looking forward with the partnership of British Council with PETA in creating more Shakespearean plays that’s rarely played on stage like King Lear and making it modern and ground-breaking to make it fresh and easy to understand by those who support theaters and especially the students and youth.
PETA’s presentation of Haring Lear is until March 4, (Friday-Sunday; 10AM, 3PM and 7PM). For tickets and inquiries please contact (02)7256.244, (02)4100.821, (02)4100.822, or 0917-576.5400, email [email protected] or you can reserve tickets for Haring Lear and pay it online visit http://petatheater.com/shows/items/haring-lear. Tickets cost Php350 (regular seats) and Php500 (VIP seats).
