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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

Join the King Lear company behind the scenes in rehearsal.

Teachers' notes [PDF 508K]

Activities for teaching King Lear, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)

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Frances Barber (Goneril) wearing a hooped practice skirt

This gives the company an idea of how large the costume will be.

Act and Scene
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Trevor Nunn talks to Sylvester McCoy

Act and Scene
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Philip Winchester and William Gaunt

Philip Winchester and William Gaunt laughing in a break in rehearsals.

Act and Scene
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Sylvester McCoy, Ian McKellen, Ben Meyjes in rehearsal for the stable scene

They're sitting on a practice 'settle' - a high-backed bench.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 6
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Ian McKellen and Jonathan Hyde rehearsing the mock trial

As Lear's 'wits begin to turn'.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 6
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Ben Meyjes in reflection as Poor Tom

His 'bearing fellowship' speech.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 6
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Cornwall's men practise hanging the Fool (Sylvester McCoy)

Act and Scene
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

David Weston (who plays the Gentleman) is also understudying Lear

Here, he's checking the text while watching Ian McKellen in rehearsal.

Act and Scene
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Guy Williams (Cornwall) and Monica Dolan (Regan)

Rehearsing killing Cornwall's servant (Adam Booth) after he's opposed their blinding of Gloucester. The fight was choreographed by Malcolm Ranson.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 7
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

Monica Dolan (Regan) rehearses tormenting Gloucester (William Gaunt)

After Gloucester has been blinded, watched by one of Cornwall's men (Richard Goulding).

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 7
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2007-03-30
Copyright: © RSC 2007

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