What follows is my and Gabrielle Malcolm‘s presentation proposal for this year’s joint conference of the National Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) and the Southwest Texas Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association (SWTX PCA/ACA). Here’s the original call for papers for the “Shakespeare on Film, Television, and Video” area.
The National Theatre’s “Live” Lear: Performance, Reception, Exhibition
On February 3, 2011, London’s Donmar Warehouse will present King Lear, featuring Derek Jacobi as the fallen monarch. As part of the National Theatre Live season, this performance will also be broadcast to cinemas around the world — at least that’s the way it is advertised. But this is not completely accurate, we’ve discovered. True, several participating cinemas will stream Lear live on February 3, including the Little Cinema in Bath, Avon, UK where Gabrielle will encounter the production. However, several venues across the globe will broadcast the production days or even weeks later, which is when Kelli will see it at The Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, MI. This “liveness” presents a number of interesting questions regarding the performance itself as well as audience reception and exhibition. For example, what will the experience most clearly resemble: theatre or cinema? Will there be concessions made for the cinema audiences in the way in which the performance is shaped for the evening? What does the term live theatre truly mean in this regard? And, in recognition of the delay in viewing the ‘live’ performance for the cinema audiences in the USA, are there comparisons to be made between the events, what does that ‘liveness’ of the event mean as the context changes? These are some of the questions that this joint presentation will address.
Two days ago, Gaby saw the live performance. While she posted some interesting tweets throughout the evening (e.g., about Derek Jacobi’s acting, Cordelia’s tears, other viewers’ reactions during intermission), these are the three that most intrigued me:
Hmmm, so when I watch Lear on February 20, I wonder if I’ll experience the same glitches, or will all be fixed and/or edited? In essence, will it be the exact same “live” performance? I suppose I’ll find out then…
Update 04/09: My notes may be found here, “National Theatre’s Live Lear: My Notes.”
Update 02/07: Gaby’s notes are posted on her blog.
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The question of liveness has come up. Authenticity can we call it? Also theatre as cinema and cinema as theatre. As well as Michael Grandage's statement (as director)when he was interviewed before the performance, stating that the play was intended for the audience in the Donmar that night, therefore compromises had to be accepted and that 'people in cinemas will know that'. Very interesting on the expectations of the creator and the recipients.
I am very excited and intrigued with what we will come up with for our final paper!
Yes, authenticity is a better word. =)