From Francesca

Published on August 18^th, 2013, in the New York Times, Ben Brantley wrote an article called “Upon a Sylvan Riverside Lawn, Woeful Darkness Settles- ‘King Lear’ in an Enchanted Setting Along the Hudson River,” reviewing the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s adaptation and production of “King Lehr.”  With a mix of both professional and amateur actors, the review is very positive, commenting on the clarity of both the actors and the director’s choices. This allowed the audience to continuously ask the question “but what happens next?” It was compelling and engaging. One aspect of the production that was particularly intriguing was the setting and lighting. Nature played a huge part given the fact that the show was performed outside, and began as the “blood orange” sun was setting. As Brantley states, “Mr. O’Brien must share credit with nature for this metamorphosis, and on the clear, beguilingly cool evening I saw his “Lear,” nature was a brilliant collaborator” (page 1). I think it’s an interesting lesson for all of us, whether or not we are acting indoors or outdoors, to draw from our atmosphere, to be alert and aware of all that surrounds us, to allow our environment to impact us so we can act instinctively. The warm up exercises we have been practicing in the beginning of class definitely help train us to be hyper aware of what is around us and who is around us.

http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/08/19/theater/reviews/king-lear-in-an-enchanted-setting-along-the-hudson-river.html