King Lear
Stage and screen titan Glenda Jackson returns to theatre to take on one of the all-time great roles, King Lear tickets are in demand
Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson returns to the stage after a 25 year absence to play the title role in Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. Directed by Deborah Warner (Happy Days with Fiona Shaw), King Lear is the well-known tale of the King’s decent into madness. Opening at London’s Old Vic Theatre on October 25th 2016, the play will show for a limited season.
Widely regarded as Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, King Lear follows an aged King who wants to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, based on who praises him the most. When his favourite and sweetest daughter Cordelia says nothing, he casts her out and gives his kingdom to the manipulative Goneril and Regan, who push Lear over the precipice and on a dark decent to madness.
Making her stage debut in 1957, Glenda Jackson is the world-famous, award-winning actress who gave up acting in 1990 to focus on politics. An experienced Labour MP, Jackson stepped down after the 2015 elections and now makes a highly anticipated return to the stage. A member of the RSC for several years, Jackson has starred in endless productions, including Hedda Gabler, Strange Interlude in London and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She has also received two Academy Awards for Best Actress, as well as two Emmy Awards and a BAFTA.
King Lear features an all-star cast, including Celia Imrie as Goneril, Morfydd Clark as Cordelia, Jane Horrocks as Regan, Rhys Ifans as Fool, Harry Melling as Edgar, William Chubb as Albany, Simon Manyonda as Edmond, Clifford Rose as Old Man, Gary Sefton as Oswald and Fiston Barek as Ensemble. Promising to be one of the most innovative revivals of the year, King Lear features Glenda Jackson as the ageing Lear, set to play at the Old Vic until December 3rd 2016.
Child Friendly
King Lear is not suitable for children, due to the violent themes.