GUESTS IN ENGLISH: Lear

“Lear” based on William Shakespeare Performance of the Old Theatre in Lublin

Director: Janusz Opryński Starring: Andrzej Seweryn Set design: Justyna Łagowska

“Lear” directed by Janusz Opryński is a monodrama by Andrzej Seweryn telling the story of Shakespeare's hero from the end. Lear dies, perhaps ends up in purgatory, and there he faces life again—taking stock of his earthly affairs. He hears the voices of daughters, conducts conversations with the absent, dialogues with spirits and with himself.

Andrzej Seweryn played Lear for the first time in 2014 at Teatr Polski, in a monumental performance by Jacques Lassalle. Today, in the play, which was created at the Teatr Stary in Lublin to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the stage, the actor once again faces this great role in a chamber, but no less moving performance.

Andrzej Seweryn plays a man who did not foresee, on the one hand, the falsity of those who incense him for his privileges, and on the other - the defeat begun by contempt and expulsion from the bracket of a society that dared to be independent and have its own views. It is almost unbelievable how in an hour-long, minimalist monodrama, in which every word and prop matters, the latest history of our families and Poland is reviewed. Jacek Cieślak “Rzeczpospolita”

Before our eyes is born a great, shocking creation of a man who has experienced all the sweetness and all the bitterness of the world, a kind of theatrical essay about crossing the boundaries of the theater in search of answers to fundamental questions about the meaning of human existence. Tomasz Miłkowski “Diary of the Tribune”

Andrzej Seweryn showcased his acting virtuosity in a harrowing tale about Lear directed by Janusz Opryński. Lear Severyna can be dangerous and threatening, vulgar and raunchy, but also nice and sweet. He regrets that there was nothing left in him from the satrap, who knew that with one finger he could annihilate someone's life. He happens to be a moving sage and an embarrassing cabotine. A show of absolute acting virtuosity. Jan Bończa-Szablowski “Rzeczpospolita”