SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY ’ S DEBUT PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON
Christopher
LLEAR !
B y D r . J o s h u a S h e r m a n / / P h o t o g r a p h s b y K a t i e M c K e l l i c k , C o u r t e s y o f S h a k e s p e a r e & C o .
CHRISTOPHER LLOYD is a three-time Emmy ® Award-winning actor ( Taxi , Road to Avonlea ) and has starred in blockbuster films such as the Back to the Future trilogy , One Flew Over the Cuckoo ’ s Nest , Who Framed Roger Rabbit ?, and The Addams Family . This summer , Lloyd brings his talents to the Berkshires to star in a powerful production of King Lear at the New Spruce Theatre at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox from July 2 to August 28 . Berkshire
Magazine publisher Dr . Joshua Sherman spoke to Lloyd prior to his Berkshire arrival .
Sherman : Thanks so much for joining us , Christopher ! We are incredibly excited to have you come to the Berkshires and do King Lear here this summer . Has Lear always been on your to-do list ?
Lloyd : In the 1960s , I actually performed in three different productions of King Lear , in which I ended up playing different roles . It never crossed my mind that I would ever be doing the lead role as King Lear . It wasn ’ t ever something I aspired towards . Five years ago , it occurred to me that I actually would like to do the role of Lear , which eventually led to my involvement with this production in the Berkshires .
Sherman : Lear is known throughout the theater community as the “ role of all roles ,” particularly for actors of a certain age . Do you feel that there are any moments in the play that you wouldn ’ t have fully understood had you played the part 40 years ago , and do you feel that you ’ re now better equipped , because of your life experience to approach this role ?
Lloyd : I certainly feel that being at the age I am now really makes a difference . Lear is facing his own mortality and his own finality , and he wants everything to be “ right ” before he passes away . He hopes that Cordelia will be there to nurse him through his waning years , and it all goes amok due to his own insecurities and needs . There are moments in the play where I feel I understand him intellectually , and I hope I have the wherewithal to bring him to life emotionally . The character of Lear just exudes high emotion all the way through .
Sherman : I think it ’ s fair to say that although you are better known for your television and film career , you have done a significant amount
July 2021 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 9