Evelyn Krape discusses her upcoming role as King Lear with Melbourne Shakespeare Company

Evelyn Krape has 30 years diverse acting experience in Theatre, Film and television. She won the Best Actress Award for her role as Nellie Melba in Jack Hibberd’s play A Toast to Melba, her one-woman show Female Parts was awarded the 1993 Green Room Award for Best Actress in Musical theatre & she was also awarded the Green Room Award for best actress in Ginger at the Playbox.

In 2011 Krape appeared at the International Yiddish Theatre Festival in Montreal in a group devised Yiddish show Ek Velt, which was performed to great acclaim in Melbourne in 2012 and toured to New York in 2015.

In 2017 Krape helped establish Kadimah Yiddish Theatre where she remains Co-Artistic Director. After a successful season in 2018, Yiddish Divas, directed by Krape had a sold-out season at Chapel Off Chapel for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, June 2019.

Now Krape is joining Melbourne Shakespeare Company for their latest production, in the role of King Lear.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

The highlights of my career are twofold. I began as a founding member of the Australian Performing Group, [APG] at the Pram Factory in the 1970’s and I was a founding member of the Kadimah Yiddish Theatre in 2017, of which I am Co Artistic Director.

Both are about heritage and culture and celebrating my world as an Australian Jew.

What made you want to take on the role of King Lear?

King Lear is one of the great “operatic” roles. It’s like bungee jumping off a cliff! Madness to do it and madness to not.

What is your favourite line in the play?

One of my favourite lines is Lear’s advice to Gloucester…

And like a scurvy politician , seem to see the things thou dost not.

Why do you think King Lear is relevant for a contemporary audience?

I think you can see from the line above why the play is relevant to a contemporary audience. We know about politicians lying and corruption and the abuse of power.

After a successful 30+ year career, what advice would you give to people starting out in the industry now?

My advice to people starting out is probably obvious; be resilient and passionate and hold firm to who you are.

What top tips do you have for performing Shakespeare?

Tips for performing Shakespeare are the same for any role ; be clear about your intent and find the music in the story.

Why should people come and see this production?

People should come and see this production because it speaks not only to the political world we inhabit but also to the demonising of women in terms of their sexuality which is so familiar to us still.

Lear is the worst offender but his fall and reckoning is cathartic.

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Season Date and Performance Times
7.30pm (5pm Sundays)
Season: 26th May – 6th June (No performance on Monday)

Duration
90 minutes, no interval

Opening Night
Thursday 27th May

Venue
fortyfivedownstairs

Tickets
CLICK HERE

This project has been supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants.