Details

King Lear divides his Kingdom between his daughters according to a declaration of their love for him. His eldest Goneril and Regan exaggerate their affection and inherit. His youngest daughter Cordelia speaks only the truth and is banished. So begins the tragedy of King Lear, whose dignity, sanity and finally life are torn from him by a self-seeking younger generation, ambitious for his power. What is love, what is madness, what is truth - Shakespeare explores these questions together with many others in King Lear, widely considered to be his greatest tragedy.

Cast/Performers

Simon Russell Beale (King Lear), Stephen Boxer (Gloucester), Cassie Bradley, Tom Brooke (Edgar), Richard Clothier, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Paapa Essiedu, Kate Fleetwood (Goneril), Colin Haigh, Simon Manyonda, Anna Maxwell Martin (Regan), Daniel Millar, Michael Nardone, Gary Powell, Adrian Scarborough (Fool), Hannah Stokely, Stanley Townsend (Kent), Sam Troughton (Edmund), Olivia Vinall (Cordelia), Ross Waiton

Creatives/Company

Author: Shakespeare
Producer: National Theatre
Director(s): Sam Mendes, Terry King (fight)
Design(s): Anthony Ward, Jon Driscoll (video)
Lighting: Paul Pyant
Music: Paddy Cuneen
Sound: Paul Arditti