King Lear has ruled for many years. As age begins to overtake him, he decides to divide his kingdom amongst his children, living out his days without the burden of power.
A proud man, he allows vanity to cloud his judgment, believing that he can relinquish the crown, but enjoy the same authority and respect he has always known. Misjudging his children’s loyalty, he soon finds himself stripped of all the trappings of state, wealth and power he had taken for granted.
Alone in the wilderness he is left to confront the mistakes of a life that has brought him to this point. Following his performance as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s great 20th century American tragedy Death of a Salesman, Antony Sher returns to play King Lear, one of the greatest parts written by Shakespeare. The production is directed by the RSC’s Artistic Director Gregory Doran.
"Antony Sher is unbearably moving as the volatile king, in Gregory Doran’s stellar production full of standout performances" (The Guardian ****)
"‘A production that is bolted together with clarity, insight and a relish for the monumental" (The Telegraph ****)
Running time: 181 minutes
Sound format: LPCM 2.0 & DTS 5.1 Digital Surround (DVD)
Artists
Antony Sher (King Lear), Kelly Williams (Regan), Nia Gwynee (Goneril), Natalie Simpson (Cordelia), Paapa Essiedu (Edmund), Oliver Johnstone (Edgar), David Troughton (Gloucester), James Clyde (Cornwall), Antony Byrne (Kent), Byron Mondahl (Oswald), Clarence Smith (Albany), Graham Turner (Fool)
Royal Shakespeare Company, Gregory Doran (director)
