Vashon Island ShakesKIDS! Presents: King Lear

The Vashon Island ShakesKIDS! present KING LEAR at First Friday Art Walk at Spoke Gallery along with artwork inspired by King Lear and generated by the company.

In King Lear, nothing is certain. In the first scene Lear decides how much of his land to give to each of his daughters by asking them to describe their love to him, so that he might judge their desserts. Regan and Goneril respond with high praise that rings empty; Cordelia responds to with “Nothing”. To which he responds, “Nothing will come of nothing” (I.i.89). She is banished along with good Kent who defends her, and there begins a great unravelling of every certainty the characters believe until the theme of nothingness swallows up the characters and they are left with it.

“The quality of Nothing hath not such need to hide itself…” says Gloucester to his bastard son when the son pretends to not want him to see a letter that will incriminate the legitimate son. “Who is it that can tell me who I am?” Asks Lear; “Lear’s shadow.” Responds the Fool. Lear is confronted with the loss of his power, respect, and love of his two daughters two whom he split his kingdom evenly, leaving out Cordelia, who, when asked to flatter could offer only, “Nothing.”.
In this, the ShakesKIDS! ninth production, they tackle the theme of nothing, as well as the divide of generations, revenge, ambition, duty, ingratitude, hate, rejection, madness, and fate.

Admission is free, come and exercise your Free Will. Please bring a pillow or a chair to sit on.
Friday, April 1st, doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:00pm, reception to follow.
More information at: aimee@vashonshakes.org vashonshakes.org