King Lear - Edinburgh Festival Guide

In a unique combination of the gorgeous gestures, exquisite movement and extraordinary stagecraft of traditional Chinese Peking Opera, celebrated Taiwanese actor Wu Hsing-kuo adapts themes and relationships from Shakespeare’s monumental tragedy of power and deception, King Lear.

Delivering a one man tour de force, Wu Hsing-kuo simultaneously depicts multiple characters, from the maniacal Lear and his ally Gloucester, to his evil, grasping daughters and the pitiful, lonely Fool. Further pushing the boundaries of traditional theatrical convention, he also appears as himself, exploring his own identity as an actor in relation
to the fictional characters he portrays.

Combining richly embroidered and colourful costumes, dazzling martial arts, contemporary dance, traditional live music and song, Wu creates an hypnotic experience for all the senses.

Supported by Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan
Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.