In order to decide how to divide his kingdom, an aging king challenges his daughters to express their love for him. The complex tragedy contains recurring themes of nature and destiny and also features one of the most gory moments in the works of Shakespeare.
King Lear Act 1 Scene 5
The Fool (Sylvester McCoy) reminds Lear (Ian McKellen) about how foolish he was to banish Cordelia and favour Goneril and Regan.
Director interview (Trevor Nunn)
Trevor discusses the setting and relevance of King Lear, the themes and verse, and why it's paired with The Seagull.
King Lear 1:2 Extract 1
Edmund (Philip Winchester), Gloucester's illegitimate son, confides in the audience that he plans to trick Gloucester in order to inherit land bequeathed to Edgar.
King Lear 1:2 Extract 2
His plotting now well underway, Edmund (Philip Winchester) tells Edgar (Ben Meyjes) that Gloucester is angry. The scene ends with Edmund's smug soliloguy.
Philip Winchester (Edmund)
After filming Act 1 Scene 2, Philip answers our questions about playing Edmund and how he succeeds in his plotting.
Changeover - Seagull to Lear
The Courtyard crew take 1.5 hours to transform the stage set from The Seagull to King Lear. Watch it here in just 30 seconds.
Performance photo gallery
From Lear's test of love to the tragic ending, explore Trevor Nunn's touring production in pictures.
Rehearsal photo gallery
Teachers' notes [PDF 508K]
Activities for teaching King Lear, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)
