What does it take to be a great Shakespearean?

Well, many of them will give you many different answers.

For one, though, it seems that the key, above all else, is preparation.

Oh, you are men of stones,

and I your tongues and eyes I'd use them so

that heaven's vault should crack.

She's gone forever.

I know when one is dead and when one lives.

From the Folger Shakespeare Library, this is Shakespeare Unlimited.

I'm Michael Whitmore, the Folgers director.

That was Anthony Shear in the 2016 Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear.

As he prepared for Lear, just as he did getting ready for Richard III in 1984 and Falstaff in 2014, Sir Anthony kept a

meticulous diary focusing, above all else, on his preparation. All three of those diaries have

been published. Year of the King for Richard, Year of the Fat Night for Falstaff, and now

Year of the Mad King,

which chronicles his doubts, his fears, his marriage proposal, his illnesses,

and all of the life and death that swirled around him

as he prepared for the most grueling role Shakespeare ever wrote for an older actor.

Cher came in recently to talk to us in detail about just how he prepares.

We call this podcast, Go Get It Ready.

Cher is interviewed by Barbara Bogave.

You have such a long association with Lear.

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