The Staging Handbook

by Francis Reid

Book Overview

"King Leir" is presumed to be a prime source for Shakespeare, who may have seen this play when it was performed at the Globe Theater in 1605. The anonymously authored play tells the same story as Shakespeare's "King Leir," but its ending is happy. Cordelia marries the King of France, reconciles with her father, and reclaims the English crown from Gonorill (so spelled here) and Regan. This rare Stewart play offers a unique glimpse into the theatrical...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0435086820
• ISBN13: 9780435086824
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.4" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A neglected anonymous masterpiece

As a passionate champion of rare works, I recommend this Shakespearean source-play without hesitation. Those familiar with KING LEAR will find plenty to enjoy here: the happy ending is a healing antidote to Shakespeare's heavy finale; the absence of the father-son subplot from this anonymous play has the advantage of a shorter and tighter script; the language, unlike Shakespeare's, is fairly easy. Like the other Globe Quartos titles, the published format of this NHB edition of KING LEIR is in every way superb: apart from a crystal-clear printed text, an introduction, textual notes, glossarial notes, and a synopsis of the plot are included. Not to be missed.

Intriguing

Just knowing the history behind Lear and Shakespeare and Marlowe and Kidd - makes this reading even more fascinating. You first must know King Lear, then study its history and you will find this to be a great resource. The name changes, the character changes, the condenscing of scenes. I would love to see this performed!