Shakespeare’s “King Lear” at Bilkent

26 April 2016 Comments Off on Shakespeare’s “King Lear” at Bilkent

first photo (300 x 169)I quite recently joined in the preparation process of Assoc. Prof. Don Randall’s production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” I’m serving as assistant director and prompter, and eventually I’ll be the sound and lighting man. And now I guess I’ve elected myself as a kind of promoter.

I have to say it’s been quite an adventure—more than I expected. It’s a bit strange to see my classmates and other fellow ELIT students speaking grand old Shakespearean English and moving the action steadily along from family squabbles, through madness, to (seemingly inevitable) murder and mayhem. And we also have students from other departments—AMER, ENG, IR—playing some of the characters, so the cast is, in a small way, a sampling of the Bilkent community.

Dr. Randall is directing the play, and he’s also playing the title role. I know from my Shakespeare class with him that the way he teaches is sometimes—what can I say?—a bit wild and crazy. But his mad king is something else again. I don’t know what people will think about it, but I think it’s something to see—and hear.

The remaining performance dates are Tuesday and Wednesday, April 26 and 27. The place is C-Block Auditorium; start time is 5:30 p.m. So, you can treat yourself to about an hour and a half of tragic events before you have your supper. A strange appetizer, I guess—but maybe worth a try. And, those of you taking GE250/1 will get 30 points for attending.

By Umer Hussain (ELIT/III)