King Lear

• Theatre

by William Shakespeare / director Jan Bosse

We’ve all had enough of the reign of old white men! Let the young people finally take over, particularly young women! – Even the king agrees. Now he must organise his estate, sort out fair distribution among the three daughters and withdraw from politics with dignity. But unfortunately, it’s not that easy to overthrow power. When his youngest and favourite daughter doesn’t receive a flattering declaration of love in the desired way he expects, he unceremoniously disinherits her. In view of his waning authority and in an act of hypocrisy, Lear sets alight everything around him and reduces it to rubble, until there’s nothing left. Is it the obstinance of old age? Panic? Megalomania? The beginnings of dementia? Helplessly clinging on to his beloved rule? Seemingly it’s a weakness that doesn’t only affect him; but also the Earl of Gloucester, once his trusted confidante, who backs the wrong child and fails to get out of this game of power with any dignity.

Why is it so hard to let go? Who carries the responsibility for legacy? And what conditions should you set out for the next generation? “You shouldn’t have grown old until you were wise!” summarises the fool, Lear’s final companion on the stormy moor.

Jan Bosse is an experienced director of Shakespeare plays. His productions of ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ were invited to the Berlin Theatertreffen. He has staged ‘Twelfth Night’ at Thalia, ‘Othello’ at the Burgtheater, Richard III in Frankfurt and ‘Falstaff’ in Cologne.

Duration 2.30h, without intermission  

Premiere 2nd April 2023, Thalia Theater