Woodson HS Offers Fresh Take On Shakespeare Tragedy: Cappies Review

By Allison O'Connor
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes

FAIRFAX, VA — Betrayal, madness, family feuds, swordplay, and power struggles Woodson High School's production of Lear had it all. This fresh adaptation of King Lear, Shakespeare's tragic tale of a monarch's fall after dividing her kingdom among her daughters, brought bold choices such as reimagining Lear as a powerful queen, adding haunting songs, and setting the action amid Viking storms. The result was a captivating experience that held the audience's attention until the final scene.

As a public domain work, King Lear offers directors the freedom to reimagine the classic, and Woodson High School took full advantage. Set in Viking-era England, the production used striking costumes and a rugged set design to recreate a brutal, primitive world where ambition and betrayal could thrive. The decision to cast Lear as a queen and add three new songs infused the play with fresh perspectives on loyalty, family, and madness. These creative choices made the familiar tragedy feel unexpectedly modern and thrilling, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.

The lead actors delivered astonishing performances that tackled the play's complex themes with depth. Silas Blocker's Edgar, the Earl of Gloucester's eldest son, masterfully portrayed the tension between nature and civilization, embodying a character who is both a wolf in sheep's clothing and a vulnerable son. Blocker's spry, agile physicality gave Edgar a youthful energy, while his subtle body language hinted at the madness lurking beneath. Even when Edgar wasn't the main focus, Blocker's commitment to the role, through active listening and expressive movements, kept Edgar's presence alive in every scene. Meanwhile, Charlotte Willmore's Lear captivated the audience with her harrowing descent into madness. Her gradual unraveling, expressed through her slouched posture, haunted gaze, and nature-inspired costume, brought Lear's vulnerability to life. Willmore's powerful vocal projection and physical intensity created a memorable portrayal of a monarch losing grip on both her kingdom and her mind.

The supporting cast was equally impressive. Performances by Aiden Brennan as Edmund and Zoe Suruma as the Earl of Gloucester were outstanding. Brennan's Edmond skillfully balanced humor and villainy, breaking the fourth wall to connect with the audience. Suruma's Earl moved from wit to tragedy with a performance that captured the character's physical and emotional suffering. Her transformation from a proud noble to a broken, blinded figure was unforgettable, capturing Gloucester's tragic journey with realism and heart-wrenching intensity.

The ensemble brought an essential layer of dynamism to the production, proving that even smaller roles could make a big impact. Rather than fading into the background, the ensemble added urgency and tension to each scene, enhancing the chaos in Lear's kingdom. The ensemble amplified crucial moments, guiding the audience through the play's emotional highs and lows and enriching the overall atmosphere.

Technically, the production was a marvel, with the storm scene standing out as a crowning achievement. As Queen Lear, the Fool, and the Earl of Kent faced nature's fury, rain literally poured down on them, courtesy of a "rain machine" expertly crafted by Annabelle Perez-Caban and Henry Green. The rain added an immersive, tactile quality to the scene, echoing the characters' inner turmoil. As lightning struck, the theater's house and stage lights flashed, timed with dramatic thunderclaps and the pounding of a drum. Together, these elements added a powerful visual that made the storm feel as real as Lear's own descent.

Woodson High School's Lear offered a fresh, visceral take on Shakespeare's classic. With inventive choices and a talented cast, the production honored the original play while reinvigorating it for modern audiences, proving that centuries-old stories can still provoke and move us when told with passion and creativity.