Sydney, King Lear & Home

Our last night away was spent at the Adge Hotel and Residences in Riley Street Surry Hills. Johanna found this hotel for us conveniently located not too far from the Belvoir Theatre 🎭. We three had booked to see Colin Friels’ version of King Lear, the pinnacle of any actor’s career. The hotel is quirky and excellent value for Sydney. We liked everything about it.
The play was exciting and, while minimally staged, lost nothing for it (unlike a minimalist “The Seagull” we saw in London). In fact the lack of costumes and props may have been a plus, allowing us to concentrate on the words, difficult words despite our familiarity with many of its phrases. Standout performances were given by Peter Carroll as the Fool and Raj Labade as Edmund. Alison Whyte was amazing as a female Gloucester. Her blinding on stage was cathartic. Friels’ performance drew heavily I think on our knowledge of a certain type of alzheimers, as well as the resonances of the sociopathic narcissism of Trump. In fact the staging of this play at this time of disorder in world politics was perfect commentary to our situation.
Speaking of which as we leave Sydney on the first week anniversary of the Bondi massacre, we note the flags lowered to half mast on the Harbour Bridge.

"Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our graves." (King Lear, Act 1, Scene 2)Read more