Catch a British Shakespearean Actor on a Local Forest Stage

Jonathan Cullen is a British actor of stage, film and television. He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London in 1985, and has since performed leading roles with most of the well-known theatres in England. He has also appeared on screens large and small. Cullen came to the US in 2021, and now resides in Portland, Oregon where he acts, teaches, and coaches. 

You can catch Jonathan Cullen playing King Lear at the Whidbey Island Shakespeare Festival this summer. In addition to featuring local talent, the Island Shakespeare Festival now invites artists from across the country to spend the summer working on beautiful Whidbey Island. Jonathan says that he loves being on Whidbey, and has a previous connection with the island through family. 

King Lear is a role that this classically trained actor knows well. 

This powerful tragedy tells the story of the aging King Lear who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. His plan goes awry through treachery and betrayal. The play unravels the poignant tale of an aging monarch's descent into madness and the ultimate redemption of his soul.

Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts? asks Lear.

“That is the central question of the play for me,” says Cullen. “There must be a reason people are cruel and can enact awful cruelties. Where does that come from? And where do we stop? Interrogating that idea is the heart of the play for me." However, Cullen acknowledges that one can be awful and do horrible things, but that doesn't mean we have to forfeit all our sympathy for that character.

“For me, what redeems Lear through his going crazy and getting to the other side of his madness, he does say ‘forget and forgive.’ We see that he wants to be forgiven by Cordelia. That helps redeem him for me. And the fact that it breaks his heart when he holds her body in his arms. In the end, we see in Lear a glimpse of the dad he should have been all along.”

MORE INFORMATION 

Photo by Michael Stadler, courtesy of Island Shakespeare Festival

 

⦁    You can find the Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF) on former school grounds on South Whidbey Island at 5476 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260. 

⦁     The outdoor amphitheater and large orange and white circus tent welcome you with its setting in a field next to a forest. 

⦁    The seats are chairs on risers. You are welcome to bring a seat cushion (but not your own chair). There is a picnic lawn area in front. 

⦁    Bring hats with a brim (especially for matinees), wear layers and bring blankets as the summer days get shorter and it can get chilly when the sun starts to set.  

⦁    Evening performances (Wednesday through Sunday) begin promptly at 6pm. Sunday Matinees (August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 1) begin at 1pm. The venue opens an hour before each performance.

⦁    King Lear runs approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission

⦁    You are welcome to enjoy a picnic on the grounds before the show begins, or enjoy beer, wine and mead in the beer garden (no outside alcohol is permitted). The Festival also offers a variety of concessions and snacks.

⦁    Only service animals are permitted.

⦁    Pay-What-You-Will tickets make the theater accessible to everyone. Tickets are available to reserve in advance at islandshakespearefest.org.

⦁    A large, paved parking lot in front of the field offers ample space. Park there and walk a promenade to the tent. If you need assistance, please let the gate attendant know and a member of house staff will give you a ride down the field in the "Bard’s Buggy." If you need additional accommodations, contact ISF by phone at 360-321-2939 or by emailing info@islandshakespearefest.org with requests. 

"Bard's Buggy" can take you from the parking lot to the seating area, photo courtesy of Island Shakespeare Festival

 

TIP: There is an abundance of additional information on the ISF's homepage menu (https://islandshakespearefest.org), including ticketing, location, parking, planning your visit, and a helpful FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section. 

For more information, visit https://islandshakespearefest.org or call 360-209-3372.