THEATRE REVIEW: Marthinus Basson breaks his own pledge with star-studded Lear
Theatrical master did not want to spoil the first production he saw, but succumbed to the lure of Lanoye, Krog and Kellerman
Director/designer Marthinus Basson and Belgian writer Tom Lanoye are a match made in theatre heaven. They’ve proved that with previous collaborations including Mamma Medea (translated by Antjie Krog) and Bloed en Rose (translated by Basson). Combining the craft, cunning and creativity of these two to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Klein Karoo Arts Festival (KKNK) is genius. This time Lanoye has reimagined Shakespeare’s King Lear with Krog (again) translating and Basson directing what seems like a dream cast. Koningin Lear stars Antoinette Kellermann as Elizabeth Lear who has reimagined her small inherited family business and built it into an international empire. She is ageing with signs of dementia and announces that she wants to divide the business among her three sons, but each of them has to declare their love and loyalty to her. Her youngest and adored son refuses, and this unleashes a torrential family feud. Many will recognise the bare bones of this tragic tale, but La...
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