Peter Brook production 1962

Act 1 Scene 1

King Lear Tell me, my daughters / (Since now we will divest us both of rule, / Interest of territory, cares of state), / Which of you shall we say doth love us most?

King Lear has gathered his daugthers at court and challenges them to describe how much they love him so he can decide how to divide his kingdom between them.

From left to right Regan (Patience Collier), Cornwall (Tony Church), Kent (Tom Fleming) Goneril (Irene Worth, holding sphere) King Lear (Paul Scofield), Cordelia (Diana Rigg) and Albany (Peter Jeffery).

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 1

Cordelia Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave / My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty / According to my bond; no more nor less.

Cordelia (Diana Rigg) refuses to offer all her love to King Lear (Paul Scofield).

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 1

King Lear Here I disclaim all my paternal care, / Propinquity and property of blood, / And as a stranger to my heart and me / Hold thee from this for ever

King Lear (Paul Scofield) flies into a rage after Cordelia refuses to express how much she loves him, he decides to divide her share of his Kingdom to her sisters and disown her.

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 3

Goneril By day and night, he wrongs me! Every hour / He flashes into one gross crime or other / That sets us all at odds

Goneril (Irene Worth) and Albany (Peter Jeffery) survey their house after it has been destroyed by Lear's followers.

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 3 Scene 7

Cornwall See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. / Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot.

Cornwall gouges out Gloucester's eyes for helping Lear escape to Dover, Regan looks on and urgers Cornwall to gouge out his other eye.

Cornwall (Tony Church), Gloucester (Alan Webb) and Regan (Patience Collier) in the background

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 4 Scene 6

Edgar Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect / By your eyes' anguish.

Edgar (Brian Murry) cradles the wounded Gloucester (Alan Webb).

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 5 Scene 1

Goneril I had rather lose the battle than that sister / Should loosen him and me.

Edmund (James Booth) seducing Goneril (Irene Worth)

Photo: Angus McBean Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust