96. Children will listen: Kate Fleetwood talks playing the Witch in Into the Woods

King Lear, written by William Shakespeare around 1604-1606, is a tragedy that follows the story of King Lear, who decides to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. The division is based on the eloquence of their declarations of love for him. However, Lear's youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia, refuses to flatter him and is disinherited. The play unfolds with Lear's descent into madness, the betrayal by his elder daughters, and the subplot involving the Earl of Gloucester and his sons. Ultimately, the play ends in tragedy with the deaths of Lear, Cordelia, and several other main characters, highlighting themes of deception, power, and the consequences of poor judgment.

The play revolves around Medea, a Colchian princess and sorceress, who seeks revenge against her husband Jason after he decides to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth. Medea, feeling betrayed and dishonored, plots to kill Glauce, Creon, and her own children to inflict maximum pain on Jason. With the help of Aegeus, King of Athens, who offers her sanctuary, Medea executes her plan, leading to the tragic deaths of several characters and her eventual escape in a chariot provided by her grandfather, the sun-god Helios. The play explores themes of injustice, revenge, and the power of women in ancient Greek society.