King Lear

Synopsis

Act I. The Play
Role: King Lear

King Lear, with great remorse, is  madly running and shouting in the wilderness storm, after banished by his cruel daughters. In the most challenging scene, Wu Hsing-Kuo switches deftly among the roles of “King Lear”, “The Actor” and “Wu himself” to exhibite resonances of their inner state.
     
Following the unique performing style of the grate Peking Opera master Qilintong and combing the movement of dance and the rhythm of the modern theatre. The Play is presented in a pathetic and moving way.

Act II. Playing
Role: Fool, dog, King Lear, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, Earl of Gloucester, Edmund and Edgar

Suddenly, King Lear has turned into the Fool and other characters in scene Playing.

If The Play is a tragedy, then Playing is a comedy. The Play is presenting the pathetic style of "Old Gentlemen" in Peking Opera, and Playing is presenting in the cynical way of playing of "Clown" in Peking Opera. Comparing to passionate high-key singing and movement of The Play, the solo performer of Playing has to change to different characters in a second.  Wu Hsing-Kuo will portray ten characters in Playing, almost all the most dramatic and active roles are included. 

Act III. A Player
Role: Wu Hsing-Kuo
 King Lear is summoned from the remote place and appears like a ghost.  He narrates to us the rising and vanishing of human lives in a ritualistic way. His elegant Peking Opera singing and movement present the changing nature of life and reflect the loss of his past.