About the Play

Our hour-long production uses the original poetic language, with the narrative trimmed and shaped to reflect our interest in the themes of family dynamics among a mother and her daughters, the disbursal of generational wealth, aging in a female body, the blind expectations of privilege, and loyalty and love of chosen and blood family. It features five actors playing multiple characters, original music, and striking ensemble work.

This is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear by Karl Sikkenga, Kate Bennis, Miller Susen, with input from the original cast.

The song, Let Joy Grieve, is written by Anya Movius. All of the language in the song is from Shakespeare’s plays, though not from King Lear.

People and Relationships in the Play

Queen Lear/Fool

Mother of three daughters: Goneril, the eldest, Regan, the middle-child, and Cordelia, the youngest. In the opening scene, Lear gives away her land to her two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, and banishes her youngest daughter, Cordelia and her best friend, Kent.

Goneril

Eldest daughter of Queen Lear, wife of Albany, takes her sister Regan’s husband, Cornwall, as a lover.

Regan

Second daughter of Queen Lear, wife of Cornwall.

Cordelia

Youngest daughter of Queen Lear. Banished by Lear in the first scene. She marries France and moves to France.

Kent

Dear friend and confidant of Queen Lear. When Lear banishes Kent, she disguises herself as a man and earns Lear’s trust as a servant.

Oswald

Servant to Goneril.

Burgundy

Suiter to Cordelia who rejects her when her dowry is withdrawn.

About the Company

We are Cottage Industry, an all-female performance and production troupe based in Charlottesville, VA.

Let Joy Grieve

By Anya Movius

Verse 1:

This is something I need from you

I’ve got flowers in almost every room

When they sour, can you remind me how they bloomed?

Verse 2:

This is something I need to hear

When the doctors come in to check my ears

Remind me who I love and say it clear

Pre-Chorus:

Ever fair, never proud,

Speak at will but not too loud—

Chorus:

Let me try it let me try it let me try it again

I would listen to reason, I’d be a good friend

I’m too much changed to be their child

I should cry, instead I smile

Let me try it let me try it again

I’d guess the plot before it ends

Make the guilty mad and shock the free

Grief joys, let joy grieve

Verse 3:

This is something I need to say

There are pansies for thoughts and rue for grace

But the figs are rotten, throw ‘em away

There’s too much wrong to try and save face

Pre-Chorus:

Ever fair, never proud,

Speak at will but not too loud—

Chorus:

Let me try it let me try it let me try it again

I would listen to reason, I’d be a good friend

I’m too much changed to be their child

I should cry, instead I smile

Let me try it let me try it again

I’d guess the plot before it ends

Make the guilty mad and shock the free

Grief joys—

Bridge:

You are cold-hearted winter

I can see my breath

And your words come like splinters

They dig deep in my head

My soul is like paper

Watch your grip, your hands are red

Come back to bed, to bed, to me, instead

Chorus:

Just let me try it let me try it let me try it again

I would listen to reason, I’d be a good friend

I’m too much changed to be their child

I should cry, instead I smile

Let me try it let me try it again

I’d guess the plot before it ends

Make the guilty mad and shock the free

Grief joys, let joy grieve

Outro:

Too much changed to be their child

Can’t be true when I’m defiled