Taking on a Challenging Role

Stacy Keach Video Excerpts from Interview

Excerpts from Mike Cuthbert's Interview

 | July 21, 2009

When something emotionally or physically difficult happens to an actor, his or her first response is to "use it"; that is, to draw on the experience of physical pain or mental anguish to improve the performance.

That's what Stacy Keach has done in recreating the role of King Lear this summer in Washington, D.C. Just before getting ready to do the show, which he had performed to great acclaim in Chicago three years ago, Keach had a mild stroke. He's come back stronger than before, but not without some concern over whether he could play the raging and mercurial king.

Working with director Bob Falls, Keach has figured out how to "use" his health challenge in the very first scene of the play, and he describes that process in this clip.

Watch this video excerpt from the interview with Mike Cuthbert, and see scenes from the extraordinary production. 

 MORE ON THIS STORY:

• Listen to or download the complete "Prime Time Radio" interview here.

• Watch and listen as Stacy Keach narrates a slide show of images from this "King Lear."

• Read "King Lear," from the MIT online edition.

• Read a review from The Washington Post, by theater critic Peter Marks.

• "Prime Time Radio" gives special thanks to The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, D.C., and to Amy Scott-Douglass.

CREDITS

• Special thanks to The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, D.C. and Amy Scott-Douglass
• Video produced by Steve Mencher
• Video edited by Scott Newman
• Camera, Borden McKinnon
• Audio, Ben Pizzuto