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Stage veteran Seana McKenna: Lear is no more and no less flawed for being female

Actor Seana McKenna discusses her starring role in a new production of William Shakespeare's King Lear.
Seana McKenna will star as King Lear in a new production of the Shakespeare classic by the Groundling Theatre Company. (Groundling Theatre Company)

Seana McKenna is one of Canada's best-loved, most-respected and daring stage actors. For close to four decades, she's performed across the country in roles such as Lady Macbeth, Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, and the Queen in The Audience. Soon, McKenna's reputation for versatility will be cemented by a new production of Shakespeare's Lear, because she — not a male actor — performs the title role as Queen Lear. McKenna talks to Tom Power about treading the boards while wearing the pants.

Produced by Ashley Mak