Ashley Hall Brings Shakespearean Performances to the Great Outdoors
Residents of Charleston will once again revel in the delivery of robust, Shakespearean drama under the open sky as Ashley Hall School for girls revives its tradition of staging outdoor productions of Shakespeare. This spring season, the School is featuring two public performances of King Lear at the institution’s historic Bear Cave.
Shakespeare by the Bear Cave
Named after a remarkable outdoor stage and local landmark on the campus, Shakespeare at the Bear Cave series has been a hallmark at Ashley Hall since its initiation in 1911. After a short break, the tradition was resumed in 2022, providing the Charleston community an experience similar to summer staples of outdoor Shakespeare performances in significant cities like New York and Chicago.
A Modernized King Lear
Under the impeccably creative direction of Aimee Phelan-Deconinck, Ashley Hall’s Performing Arts Coordinator, this season’s performance of King Lear will transport the audience from the era of the 17th-century English monarchy to the bustling times of 1920s New York. King Lear is a heart-wrenching exploration of love, family, and how unchecked ambition can bring about disastrous consequences. It puts a sharp lens on the vulnerability of relationships when they are challenged.
Phelan-Deconinck aims to enhance audience engagement by incorporating multimedia elements into the performance. Not merely for aesthetic benefit, the use of projectors and cameras helps to bring viewers closer to the action, making the experience feel more immersive and engaging. This innovative approach aids the audience in examining the raw emotions exhibited by the actors on stage.
Reveling in Tradition
The Bear Cave, an iconic landmark, holds deep historical significance at Ashley Hall. Formerly part of the Witte family’s property acquired by Ashley Hall in 1909, it has been hosting Shakespearean performances since 1911. Dr. Anne T. Weston, Ashley Hall’s head of school and an alumna herself, fondly revisits the memories of students bringing the profound verses of Shakespeare to life on this outdoor stage.
Even though the Bear Cave presents unique challenges of preserving the surrounding landscaping during rehearsals, Phelan-Deconinck finds it simultaneously intimidating and captivating. Its emptiness is a metaphorical blank canvas that compliments the existential themes explored in King Lear.
Connecting with Shakespeare
Guiding her students through this intricate labyrinth of moral dilemmas found in King Lear, Phelan-Deconinck emphasizes a hands-on approach to help them understand the depth of Shakespeare’s work. The adaptation of the play under her direction is intentionally designed to consider the students’ circumstances, allowing them to grapple authentically with the trials presented by the play.
Performances of King Lear will take place at 5:30 p.m. on March 15 and 16. Tickets are available for purchase at $10 for adults and $8 for students on Ashley Hall School’s official website.
