THEATER IN AMERICA: KING LEAR (TV)

Summary

One in this series of regional theater productions. This episode presents a stage performance of “King Lear” by William Shakespeare, presented at the New York Shakespeare Festival.

Footage of the audience gathering and the actors preparing is shown before the play begins, introduced by Joseph Papp, producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival. The play begins as the Earl of Gloucester introduces the Earl of Kent to his illegitimate son Edmund. King Lear arrives with his retinue and announces that he has divided his kingdom into thirds, hoping to pass them on before he dies of old age. He challenges his three daughters to see which of them loves him most in order to help him determine which of them will inherit his kingdom. Goneril and Regan, the two oldest, make grand protestations as to their love for their father, and Lear awards them portions of his kingdom. However, his youngest daughter, Cordelia, makes snide remarks and at her turn has no response for her father, saying that she loves him according to her “duty.” This angers Lear, who denies her any inheritance and disowns her, dividing her third amongst her two sisters. The Duke of Kent protests his decision, but Lear angrily banishes him from the kingdom in retaliation. The Duke of Burgundy, one of Cordelia’s suitors, relinquishes his claim on her once Lear becomes adamant against awarding her any of his lands, but the King of France, her other suitor, is impressed by her candor and offers to marry her in spite of that. Lear sends her off, wishing never to see her again.

Secretly Goneril and Regan discuss their father’s unstable behavior as of late and scheme against him. Edmund reflects on how he is resentful of his illegitimate status and jealous of his half-brother Edgar, his father’s son by marriage. Gloucester comes across Edmund, who appears to try to hide a letter from him. Gloucester gets him to hand over the letter, which purports to be from Edgar and details his plot to seize his father’s estate for his own. Edmund claims innocence in this plot and prevents Gloucester from going to murder Edgar, convincing him that Edgar may not be serious. Gloucester sends Edmund to determine Edgar’s true intent and leaves, shaken by these events and blaming astrology for the recent ill tidings. In private, Edmund sneers at his father blaming the stars for human faults; he fabricated the letter to set his plan in motion to gain his father’s inheritance. He encounters the unsuspecting Edgar and works him into a panic, alerting him that their father is furious at him and sending him to hide at his house.

Goneril prepares for dinner with Lear at her house, returning from a hunt. Kent returns, having fashioned a disguise to hide his identity. Lear encounters him on his way back and strikes up a conversation, offering to serve Lear. Lear calls for his dinner and his fool; a guard conveys Goneril’s message that she does not feel well and won’t join him. Lear rejects his dinner and berates Goneril’s steward Oswald; Kent assists him by knocking him about and driving him off. Lear’s fool arrives to entertain him, but also criticizes his recent decisions regarding his daughters. Goneril arrives and expresses her displeasure at Lear’s behavior and his retinue’s stay at her home. Angry, Lear intends to leave and seek refuge with Regan, and curses Goneril for her insolence. When he discovers his retinue of a hundred knights is to be reduced by half, Lear breaks down in tears before collecting himself and departing.

The fool continues to criticize Lear, warning that Regan will be no more receptive to him than Goneril, but Lear does not listen and heads to Regan’s home. Edmund learns from a guard that the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany, Regan and Goneril’s husbands respectively, may be planning a war against each other. Edmund seizes the opportunity and convinces Edgar that Cornwall is after him, forcing him to flee without his sword. Edmund deliberately cuts himself just before his father arrives, and he convinces him that Edgar wounded him in a swordfight. Gloucester disinherits Edgar and promises his lands to Edmund. Regan and Cornwall arrive and Gloucester tells them of his plight. Cornwall commends Edmund as well. Regan and Cornwall consult with Gloucester about recent events surrounding Lear. Kent, still in disguise, witnesses this encounter. He is found by Oswald, and takes the opportunity to insult him. He then draws his sword against him and starts a commotion, drawing Edmund, Cornwall, and Regan to the scene. Cornwall has him restrained and sentences him to be put in the stocks, despite his protests that he was merely carrying Lear’s missive to Regan. While on the stocks he receives a message from Cordelia vowing to help him.

Edgar, still fleeing for his life, disguises himself as a filthy beggar named Tom. Lear discovers Kent locked up in the stocks, and Kent tells him what has happened, although Lear refuses to believe it. Regan and Cornwall refuse to speak with him, further enraging him. They finally emerge and confront Lear about his anger at Goneril for betraying him; he asks Regan to allow him to stay with her, believing that she will not similarly betray him. Lear is also incensed that Kent was put in the stocks and demands to know who was responsible. Goneril arrives and Regan sides with her against their father, further stoking his rage. Regan and Goneril slowly reduce the size of Lear’s retinue until nothing is left; he finally gives in to his rage and curses his daughters for taking away the last vestiges of his authority. He and his fool go out into the middle of a storm together. Gloucester is advised by Goneril, Regan, and Cornwall not to allow Lear back inside despite the dangerous weather.

Lear continues his tirade, practically daring the storm to strike him down. Kent arrives with a blanket to shield Lear from the rain. They go together to seek shelter from the storm. Gloucester, distressed by the ill tidings between the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany and of a mysterious letter he has locked away, leaves to find Lear and orders Edmund to keep Cornwall at bay until he returns. Kent leads Lear and the fool to shelter, but Lear sends the fool in without him and continues his contemplation amidst the storm. He encounters Edgar, still in disguise, who crawls about and raves like a madman. Lear tries speaking to him, and he claims to be a servant cast out for carrying on an illicit affair with his mistress. Lear takes pity on him, likening his plight to that of his feelings of betrayal. Edgar continues babbling incoherently as Kent recognizes Gloucester wandering about and brings him in despite Edgar rebuking him as a “fiend.” Gloucester decides to disobey his orders and give Lear and his party shelter, and Lear convinces him to take in “Tom” as well.

Edmund gives his father’s secret letter to Cornwall, which suggests collusion between Gloucester and the King of France against Cornwall. Lear and his party take shelter in Gloucester’s home; Lear is in a daze and continues to ramble. They go to sleep but Gloucester suddenly warns of an impending attempt on Lear’s life, and they steal away in the night. Edgar goes his own way, reflecting that Lear suffers from a similar plight but is far more affected by it. Cornwall, Goneril, and Regan order that Gloucester and his party be hunted down for betraying them, and Edmund is given earldom of Gloucester. Gloucester is captured and questioned by Cornwall and Regan. He tells them he has sent Lear to Dover, and as punishment Cornwall gouges out his eyes. One of Cornwall’s servants tries to stop him, but is killed when Regan stabs him in the back. Gloucester calls out for Edmund to avenge him, but Regan reveals that it was Edmund who betrayed him. They throw Gloucester out of the gates and Regan retreats with Cornwall to help heal him from the injury his servant inflicted.

Edgar, still wandering about in disguise, runs into the now-blind Gloucester, who regrets banishing Edgar under false pretenses. Gloucester invites “Tom” to help guide him, and Edgar continues to keep up his disguise, much to his displeasure. Gloucester asks him to lead him to a tall cliff in Dover, and Edgar agrees. Meanwhile, Edmund goes with Goneril to see Albany and warn him of the incoming French invasion. Goneril finds herself attracted to Edmund, who leaves just before Albany enters. Albany finds himself disgusted at Goneril and Regan’s actions against Lear, but Goneril mocks his moralistic speeches. Albany receives a message reporting that Cornwall has died from his injuries, and he learns of Gloucester’s fate. He also learns that Edmund was complicit in the plot and swears vengeance against him.

Kent carries on a letter correspondence with Cordelia, who sits at the head of the French army. Cordelia seeks out her father, hoping to reconcile with him, while simultaneously preparing for the British army’s counteroffensive. Regan conspires to marry Edmund and tries to prevent Goneril from getting to him first, attempting to sway Oswald to her cause. She orders him to find Edmund and kill Gloucester. Edgar makes Gloucester believe that they have reached the cliff, and Gloucester sends Edgar away, intending to hurl himself off and kill himself. Gloucester falls to the ground and Edgar returns, disguising his voice and convincing Gloucester that he miraculously survived the fall. They encounter Lear wandering by the shore draped in leaves and babbling incoherently to himself. Gloucester recognizes his voice, and eventually Lear recognizes him as well; Lear’s madness is absolute now.

A group of knights finds Lear and he leads them on a chase away from the shore. Edgar learns that the armies are battling nearby as they speak, and reveals his identity to Gloucester, leading him away. However, they are interrupted by the arrival of Oswald, who intends to kill Gloucester as per Regan’s commands. Edgar kills him and with his dying breath Oswald charges him to take his letters to Edmund. The letter reveals that Goneril plans to murder her husband and marry Edmund. Edgar hides the body and leads Gloucester away. Kent meets with Cordelia, who now has Lear in her company. The sleeping Lear is brought before her, and he awakens. He begins to regain his mental coherence and recognizes Cordelia. He asks for her forgiveness for what he has done.

In the British camp, Regan makes advances on Edmund, who seems to reciprocate. Goneril and Albany arrive to announce that Lear is with Cordelia and to plan their next move. Goneril and Regan leave together and Edgar arrives to give the letter over to Albany. However, Edmund interrupts him to deliver a troop report before Albany can read the letter. Edmund has promised himself to both sisters, and notes that they will devise some way to kill Albany, who intends to show mercy to Lear and Cordelia. The British win the battle and Lear and Cordelia are captured. Edgar tries to lead Gloucester away to save him. Edmund imprisons Cordelia and Lear, and gives a secret order to one of his captains heading to the prison. Albany asks Edmund for custody of Lear and Cordelia, but Edmund attempts to delay the transfer. Regan and Goneril fight over Edmund, and Regan announces her intention to marry him. Albany, realizing Goneril’s plot, calls for Edmund’s arrest. Regan suddenly falls ill and is carried away.

Albany puts out a call for men to oppose Edmund in combat and Edgar, disguised by a mask, steps forth to answer. He levels accusations against Edmund and they engage in a duel. They are blindfolded and fight with daggers, and eventually Edgar manages to inflict a grievous wound on Edmund. Albany reveals that he has read the contents of Goneril’s letter and she flees. Edgar reveals his identity to the dying Edmund, and that the shock of learning that Edgar was alive killed Gloucester. One of Albany’s servants arrives to announce that Goneril and Regan are both dead; Goneril poisoned Regan just before committing suicide. Edmund reveals that he sent his captain to execute Lear and Cordelia and urges them to call off his order. However, it is too late: Lear brings the body of the slain Cordelia before the assembled party. Kent arrives and Lear finally recognizes him, but does not believe him when he tells him of his disguise. Overcome by grief, Lear collapses and dies. Kent claims he has a “journey” to go on and lays down himself, leaving only Edgar to reflect on the terrible events which have transpired.

Details

NETWORK: PBS
DATE: February 20, 1974 8:30 PM
RUNNING TIME: 2:56:52
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: B:58817
GENRE: Drama
SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616; Literature - Adaptations
SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1974-1979
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Jac Venza … Executive Producer
Virginia Kassel … Producer
Victoria Hochberg … Associate Producer
Bernard Gersten … Associate Producer
Joseph Papp … New York Shakespeare Festival Produced by
Edward Sherin … Director
William Shakespeare … Writer
Charles Gross … Music by
Hal Holbrook … Host
Joseph Papp … Guest
Douglass Watson … Cast, Kent
Paul Sorvino … Cast, Gloucester
Raul Julia … Cast, Edmund
James Earl Jones … Cast, King Lear
Rosalind Cash … Cast, Goneril
Lee Chamberlin … Cast, Cordelia
Ellen Holly … Cast, Regan
Robert Stattel … Cast, Albany
Robert Lanchester … Cast, Cornwall
Louis Quinones … Cast, Burgundy
Jean-Pierre Stewart … Cast, France
Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Edgar
Frederick Coffin … Cast, Oswald
Tom Aldredge … Cast, Fool
George Dzundza … Cast, Gentleman
John R. Tobinski … Cast, Curan
J.W. Harper … Cast, First Servant to Cornwall
Anthony Chisholm … Cast, Servant to Cornwall
Frank Seales … Cast, Servant to Cornwall
Charles Pegues … Cast, Old Man
Redvers Jeanmarie … Cast, Messenger
William Hart … Cast, Doctor
Gregory Mosher … Cast, Messenger
Frankie Faison … Cast, Captain
George Addison … Cast, Herald
James West III … Cast, Gentleman
Jose Machado … Cast, Attendant
Simpson Markson … Cast, Attendant
Kevin Maung … Cast, Attendant
John W. Salat … Cast, Attendant

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