RemarkaBull Podversation

RemarkaBULL Podversations are informal, livestreamed conversations that investigate approaches to essential passages from the Shakespearean and Jacobean canon―and beyond.

EXPLORING KING LEAR

WITH ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS

LIVESTREAM RECORDING

Recorded Monday, February 1, 2021

WATCH

DONATE

Make a tax-deductible donation today to support Red Bull and invest in the vitality of classical theater for a contemporary audience. We're committed to continuing connection during this historic time.

Your support will help make that possible.

Tony Award-winning Actor ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS will join host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on the ‘man more sinned against than sinning’, Shakespeare’s titular King Lear. André gave a celebrated performance of the role at Classical Theater of Harlem and then The Folger in 2007. He will read a passage from the play and discuss the challenges and rewards of playing one of Shakespeare’s titans. The conversation will focus on the "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!" speech from the third scene of the second act. They will take your questions too!

WATCH

From Act 3: Scene 2

KING LEAR

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!

You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout

Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks!

You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,

Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts,

Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder,

Smite flat the thick rotundity o' the world!

Crack nature's moulds, an germens spill at once,

That make ingrateful man!

Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain!

Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters:

I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness;

I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children,

You owe me no subscription: then let fall

Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave,

A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man:

But yet I call you servile ministers,

That have with two pernicious daughters join'd

Your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head

So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul!

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

At the age of 73, ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS was awarded the Tony Award for his performance in Hadestown. His illustrious career has spanned a half-century. After getting his start as the eponymous The Wiz in 1975, he has continued to distinguish himself as an actor, director, and educator. He received Tony nominations for the musicals Play On! and The Full Monty. He has received praise for his classical work, including King Lear at Classical Theater of Harlem and Red Bull’s own The Witch of Edmonton.

NATHAN WINKELSTEIN is Red Bull Theater's Associate Artistic Director. He has been with Red Bull Theater for three years, serving as Producing Director of The Revelation Reading Series, Education Director of Shakespeare in Schools and the Masterclass offerings. He also serves as a literary and casting associate for Red Bull. Nathan is also the NY Casting Associate for American Shakespeare Center. He has acted or directed for numerous companies around the country and in the UK, including Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Shakespeare Theater Company, W.H.A.T., LCT, The Folger, The Tobacco Factory, American Shakespeare Center and others. Nathan has taught for Red Bull, STC, LCT, WHAT, TGS and Shakespeare Forum; he also provides private acting coaching in NYC. Nathan received his BA in Theater from the University at Buffalo and his MFA in Classical Acting from the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK. Nathan is a proud member of Actors Equity.