Lear. The Bastard's Story

DESCRIPTION OF THE PERFORMANCE:

'Lear. The Bastard’s Story' is a very modern and expressive interpretation of Shakespeare’s play 'King Lear'. It brings into focus and reveals only one side of the play - Earl of Gloucester and his sons' line. 

Our story begins from the point where the kingdom is already divided between the two daughters of King Lear – Goneril and Regan – by ripping their father’s regime. Meanwhile Edmund the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester returns to the kingdom from an exile to claim his share of inheritance. The following spate of insinuations, wrongful accusations and intrigues brings only destruction, fall and death. Edmund scheming his way up is the main hero of our interpretation. 

Five actors and five puppets, 20 meters of white paper, 75 minutes on the stretch for all your feelings and emotions, incredible mixture of outstanding acting, physical and puppet theatre that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

'Lear. The Bastard’s Story' is an attempt to review the classics and to tell the old and well known story in a different and modern way. The production combines visual and performing arts, creativity and innovation with 5 actors and puppets onstage. Our show tells this story in an original and contemporary manner. The performance has already taken part in 4 international festivals - in Poland (Valise International Theatre Festival, Lomza, 2016), Serbia (International Theatre Festival 'Slavija', Belgrade, 2016), Hungary (Shakespeare Festival Gyula, Gyula, 2017), and France (Festival Mondial des Theatres de Marionnettes, Charleville-Mezieres, 2017). It was also performed on tour in Croatia (Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc in Rijeka, 2017). The show was awarded «A team actor award» at 29th International Theatrical Festival Valise (Poland) in June 2016.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTISTS: 

Theatre Malenki (Malenki means small in Russian) was founded in 1998 by Igor Berezin, Michael Teplitsky, Boris Entin and Helena Yaralova - a group of immigrants graduated from best theatre schools in USSR.

From the beginning The Malenki found a niche for itself. Almost from the first show performances were decided to be staged in Hebrew in order that they become a true part of the Israel’s cultural environment. Currently The Malenki has regular shows in two languages – Hebrew and Russian. The theatre has since specialized in adaptation and very modern interpretation of famous classical pieces of writing. The Malenki quickly won public and critical acclaim. Through the years Malenki theatre developed a remarkable style that vividly differs from everything one can find in well-established Israeli theatres.

Apart from staging Malenki Theatre has produced some festivals among them: Days of Shining Festival (under the auspices of the Municipality of Tel Aviv), In First Reading Festival (with the support of Ministry of Integration).

The theatre was accorded international recognition and honorably represented Israel at many international theatre festivals in China, Poland, South Korea, Serbia, Macedonia, Moldova and others.

The repertory of The Malenki consists of original adaptations of classical literary masterpieces. 'About the Sin' based on 'Crime and Punishment' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 'The Stranger' based on a novel by Albert Camus under the same title, 'An Old Wife and a Miracle Monger' based on short stories by Daniil Kharms, 'A Foreign Woman' based on short stories by Sergei Dovlatov, 'The Black Monk' by Anton Chekhov, 'The Last Demon', based on short stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer. The adaptations were accomplished by Igor Berezin, Boris Yentin, Roee Chen and Michael Teplitsky.

The theatre has permanently 26 employees from a variety of art professions.
 

REVIEWS:

''Lear. The Bastard's Story', directed by Michael Teplitsky, is theatre as it can be and should be: imaginative, entertaining, and unafraid to take risks. Visually, this play is pure pleasure, conceptual and sensual.'
(Ayelet Dekel)

'Unbelievable how many particles Shakespeare’s 'King Lear' is dividing, how amazing is the amount of interpreting opportunities breaking out of the rows. Malenki Theatre from Tel Aviv brought the piece's endless repository to the audeince, that we had never seen before.'
(Gyula's News)

LINKS: 

• www.malenki.co.il
• Trailer of the performance 'Lear. The Bastard's Story'