An interview with Ronan Walsh, playing King Lear in this year’s Shakespearean production

What is the most difficult part about doing a Shakespearean play?

The language is just so beautiful, but it’s so hard to memorize I have over 700 lines to memorize so I would say that is the most difficult problem.

Would you say it is more difficult than other plays you have done?

Yes, I would say that because I am playing King Lear it is a lot more difficult, as I usually play smaller comedic roles and King Lear is mostly seriousness, but I love it.

How would you say the play is coming along?

Every time we do a show, everything goes crazy about this time but everyone is wonderfully cast and I think it will be a very good show. It is also bloody, which is nice.

What are you most looking forward to?

Being able to portray this character King Lear is just so complex; just being in it and performing is the hard part, but I always get a huge rush from performing.

Is there anything you’d like to tell the audience before they go?

Bring blankets, it might get cold. Also read a summary of the play or the first few scenes just to get a better sense of what is going on.