King Lear

By William Shakespeare

There is now limited availability for all remaining performances of King Lear, please call Box Office for information on returns 0844 871 7628.

Evening performances will take place at 7pm and matinee performances at 1pm.

‘’Tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind.’

Leading an outstanding company, double Academy Award-winning legend Glenda Jackson returns to the stage to play King Lear, a quarter of a century after she gave up acting for politics.

Written during a period of great social upheaval, Shakespeare’s brutal masterpiece is arguably the greatest tragedy ever written. The fatal consequences of a foolish decision are explored in haunting poetry to create one of the most moving works in the English language.

VOICES OFF talks and debates:

Is Ripeness All? – pre-show debate – Thu 17 Nov, 5.15pm

Lear and Daughters – post-show talk – Fri 25 Nov, approx. 10.45pm

Archived

Tue 25 Oct – Sat 3 Dec 2016
(Previews Tue 25 Oct – Thu 3 Nov)

Mon – Sat 7pm; Wed & Sat 1pm

Extra matinee added on Sat 26 Nov at 1pm

[Please note there are no matinee performances on 26 Oct, 29 Oct, 2 Nov, 5 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov]

Recommended for ages 15+. This production includes flashing light, full frontal nudity and moderate violence.

Running time: approximately 3hrs 30mins including a 20-minute interval

Captioned Performance: Fri 25 Nov 7pm
Audio Described Performance: Tue 22 Nov 7pm, touch tour 5.30pm

TICKETS: £12, £16, £21, £30, £55, £65
For information regarding Premium Seats please call the box office
VIP tickets available which include a programme and a drink.

Concessions

For your comfort and security, you may be subject to additional checks on your visit to London theatres – we appreciate your patience and understanding while these are taking place.

She is tremendous in the role. In an uncanny way, she transcends gender. What you see, in Deborah Warner’s striking modern-dress production is an unflinching, non-linear portrait of the volatility of old age

, The Guardian

Glenda Jackson is tremendous as King Lear. No ifs, no buts. In returning to the stage at the age of 80, 25 years after her last performance… she has pulled off one of those 11th-hour feats of human endeavour that will surely be talked about for years to come

, The Daily Telegraph

Jean Kalman’s crystalline lighting, Mel Mercier’s sound design, and the projection work of 59 Productions transmit a visual apocalypse

, The New York Times

Warner’s minimalist, modern-dress staging… is absolute theatre; both real and fiction; the thing itself and its shadow

, Variety

Cast Members

  • Fehinti Balogun

    Ensemble

  • Fiston Barek

    Ensemble

  • Bessie Carter

    Ensemble

  • William Chubb

    Albany

  • Morfydd Clark

    Cordelia

  • Jonathan Coote

    Ensemble

  • George Eggay

    Ensemble

  • Matt Gavan

    Ensemble

  • David Hargreaves

    Old Man

  • Jane Horrocks

    Regan

  • Joanne Howarth

    Ensemble

  • Rhys Ifans

    Fool

  • Celia Imrie

    Goneril

  • Glenda Jackson

    King Lear

  • Karl Johnson

    Gloucester

  • Stephen Kennedy

    Gentleman

  • Simon Manyonda

    Edmond

  • Harry Melling

    Edgar

  • Mark Rose

    Ensemble

  • Gary Sefton

    Oswald

  • James Staddon

    Ensemble

  • Danny Webb

    Cornwall

  • Sargon Yelda

    Kent

Creative Team

  • Deborah Warner

    Director

  • Jean Kalman & Deborah Warner

    Design

  • Jean Kalman

    Lighting Designer

  • Mel Mercier

    Composer and Sound Designer

  • Justin Nardella

    Associate Set Designer

  • Zeb Lalljee

    Costume Designer

  • 59 Productions

    Video Designer

  • Jessica Ronane

    Casting

  • Mike Gunning

    Associate Lighting Designer

  • Leigh Davies

    Associate Sound Designer

  • Jamie Manton

    Assistant Director

  • Patsy Rodenburg

    Voice Coach

  • Joyce Henderson

    Company Movement