HeartBeast’s ‘King Lear’ is a tale of a family dynasty tearing itself apart. This story of turmoil within powerful families resonates in the Australian consciousness.
Reimagining Shakespeare's crowning masterpiece within Colonial Australia, HeartBeast's 'King Lear' is set in the mid-1800s, in a test of love and loyalty, a wealthy land owner divides his vast property among his three daughters. His favourite, Cordelia, refuses to play the game. As a result she is banished and Lear's world is turned upside down. Anarchy reigns, he is cast out and wanders lost and crazed over the desolate landscape towards his brutal end.
Director Jacqueline Kerr brings to the stage a story rich in themes of insanity, isolation, abuse and death. 'King Lear' lends itself to an Australian Gothic retelling and Jacqueline certainly takes advantage of this in her Australian Gothic interpretation.
“I love the darkness of the history of Australia. Even before the Europeans settled Australia brutally and savagely, Aboriginal spirituality was a part of the land. Add to that the isolation and harshness of the environment and the beautifully dangerous flora and fauna, and you have a canvas that invites cruelty and brutality. That’s what we’re drawing on in our interpretation of 'King Lear',” she says.
In order to create the Australian Gothic feel, HeartBeast will be using a soundscape from the Australian bush, and Jacqueline has identified her Top 5 chilling Australian animal sounds, all of which will be heard in the production.
The sooty owl
This owl is native to Australia and protected under the Victorian Conservation Act. If I was alone in the bush with this sound, I would be terrified.The bush stone curlew
This is a nocturnal bird that screeches during the night, but if you come across it in the day, it will freeze mid-action and hold the freeze for as long as it thinks it’s threatened. Fascinating, but it’s cry is ghastly.The cicada
Even though I grew up with this sound, it still gives me chills, especially when there are a lot together. I can remember lying awake on summer evenings with the sound of cicadas outside my window, driving me insane!The possum
They seem cute, but they are actually feral, quite nasty and have a horrible sound.The kookaburra
This cry can be quite haunting, much like the hyena’s laugh or the sound of the southern laughing tree frog. It is used that way in our show.'King Lear' plays Trinity Hall in Fortitude Valley, 25 July - 15 August.
