Hi Everyone
I'm still depressed but finding ways to distract myself.
Yesterday I went to a Chinese version of King Lear. King Lear (as you can tell from my email address) is one of my favourite Shakespearean plays.
The story is: The ageing King Lear wants to divide his kingdom up between his three daughters - Goneril, Reagan and Cordelia. To get their share they have to tell him how much they love him.
Goneril and Reagan describe their 'love' eloquently whereas Cordelia is simple and plain. In a rage King Lear disowns Cordelia.
Lear realises he has made the wrong decision as Goneril and Reagan betray him and he is left to roam the streets, gradually going mad. He realises he needs to find Cordelia.
A lot of twists and turns and then, like most Shakespearean tragedies, nearly everyone dies.
This production, though, was very Chinese. It took me some time to get used to the clanging and jerking sounds of a traditional Chinese orchestra.
I did love the dancing, though, which verged on martial arts.
One man (Wu Hsing-kuo) played all the parts and he did it brilliantly. I particularly liked the opening scenes where Lear walks around, half mad, looking for Cordelia.
Also Cordelia came across as gentle and sweet, as opposed to her more confident, manipulative sisters. I think this is the right interpretation. Cordelia loves her father but it is not in her nature to be so flowery in her feelings.
All in all a wonderful distraction from my depressed mood.
God Bless
Amber
Rachel, so very sorry that you are still feeling depressed! I do pray that this cloud of depression does lift from you soon. I know it is no fun at all! Glad you realize it, and that you are trying to come out of it and be distracted. I know you have a lot going on, and it is hard! Dear one you are in my prayers, and God certainly does understand your pain regardless and wants you also to be free. Blessings!!
ReplyDeleteHello! I am so sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I hope that your time is soon over and you can once again feel happiness. Thank you for your wonderful advice. Take care of yourself. I know its hard sometimes. God will be with you, rely on him when you need him and when you feel that you don't. I hope your day gets better!
ReplyDeletesounds like a fascinating production!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments and prayers
ReplyDeleteKeep it up.
God Bless
Amber
Sounds very interesting! I'm taking my mandatory Shakespeare class for my English degree this semester, and right now we're currently reading King Lear. I was a Shakespeare skeptic at the beginning of the semester, but I'm really starting to like him now.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the film version of "As You Like It" with Bryce Dallas Howard? That's an interesting version that has a lot of Japanese culture in it... different, but interesting. (Only real downside is the guy who plays Oliver is TERRIBLE!)
Hope things look up for you! Have a good weekend!
Oh oh! And check out "Shakespeare Retold" (with James McAvoy as Macbeth) if you like adaptations. Pretty good. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions Sarah LeighAnn.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep them in mind.
Amber