What insights does the program offer in relation to Lear's character and what are the implications for how we see the play as a whole?
             Shakespeare intended his plays to be viewed, and it is only on stage or in film that the subtleties of gesture, emotion and tone can be discovered to illuminate the text. This is one reason that Shakespeare's plays are the height of literary experience. Since many of his plays have minimal stage directions, it allows it to become open for endless interpretations - all different, yet all valid. It is up to the director to interpret how they want the play to be viewed as a whole.
             The OTEN video, hosted by Miranda Otto, explores how different Australian and English productions have interpreted. It includes excerpts of productions from BBC TV with, Michael Horden (directed by Jonathan Miller), 1984 Nimrod with John Bell, 1994 New Theatre with Frank McNamara, 1994 Sydney Theatre Company with John Stanton as well as includes interviews and a studio discussion, with questions from HSC students in the audience.
             Because King Lear, as with many Shakespearean plays, was so open to interpretation and highly adaptable, every production of a play has countless artistic decisions to make. The best productions find creative ways to elaborate upon the basic themes and ideas of the text, and it's these productions which gain a better response from their audience. Thee way in which the creator chooses to portray Lear will effect the overall play and the conclusion drawn from it. It is this single aspect which separates the countless Lear productions ever created since it was first written in 1605. According to the studio discussion with HSC students, it was evident that Lear's character needed a human aspect in order for it's audience to relate to his character and understand the reason for his anger in the end, to furthermore draw a conclusion of his journey and transformation. ...