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King Lear [Julian Glover]. Photo: Donald Cooper

directed by Barry Kyle

When we are born we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools
4.5.178-9

Old King Lear resolves to share the British kingdom with his three daughters on the condition that they declare their love for him unconditionally. Cordelia, his youngest daughter, refuses to do so and is banished, and the kingdom is divided between his two elder daughters. The two sisters divest Lear of his remaining power and eventually turn him out into a stormy night. Meanwhile, Lear's loyal friend, Gloucester, is abused by Edmund, his illegitimate son, who has turned against Edgar, his legitimate son. When Cordelia returns from France with an army to conquer England for her father, the tragedy reaches its terrible climax.  

Creative Team

Master of Play - Barry Kyle
Master of Design - Hayden Griffin
Master of Music - Claire van Kampen

Cast

Julian Glover - King Lear
Patricia Kerrigan - Goneril
Felicity Dean - Regan
Tonia Chauvet - Cordelia
Geoffrey Whitehead - Earl of Gloucester
Paul Brennan - Edgar
Michael Gould- Edmund
Bruce Alexander - Earl of Kent
John McEnery - Fool
Harry Gostelow - Duke of Albany
Michael Fenner - Duke of Cornwall
Andrew Whipp - King of France
David Caron - Duke of Burgundy
Roger McKern - Curan
Peter Hamilton Dyer - Oswald
Simon Hyde - Edmund's Captain/Cornwall's servant
Murray McArthur - Herald

Discover the Play

Discover other productions of King Lear at the Globe:

King Lear (2008)

Discover the actors' experiences making the production in Adopt An Actor:

Tonia Chauvet as Cordelia
Paul Brennan as Edgar
Michael Gould as Edmund
Patricia Kerrigan as Goneril
Bruce Alexander as Kent

King Lear was performed in 2001, as part of the Celtic Season.