King Lear
King Lear is a proud man who solicits praise from his three daughters in return for inheritance of the kingdom. Daughters Goneril and Regan profess their affection vehemently. Cordelia, who does not respect the process her father has chosen, does not humor him. Lear's perceived rejection from Cordelia leads to her banishment, thus splitting the kingdom between the other two. This hasty decision becomes his fatal error.
National Theatre Live: King Lear
Considered by many to be the greatest tragedy ever written, King Lear sees two ageing fathers – one a King, one his courtier – reject the children who truly love them. Their blindness unleashes a tornado of pitiless ambition and treachery, as family and state are plunged into a violent power struggle with bitter ends.
×
Peter Brook
Director
Patrick Magee
as
Cornwall
Ian Hogg
as
Edmund
Paul Scofield
as
King Lear
Lloyd Hutchinson
as
Fool
Danny Webb
as
Gloucester
Sinéad Cusack
as
Kent
Ian McKellen
as
King Lear
72%