Guildford Shakespeare Company's forthcoming production of King Lear has had its run extended due to the popular demand for tickets, five weeks before it opens.
The production stars Brian Blessed, one of the country's best-known and most respected actors, in the title role. This be the first time that Blessed has played this iconic role on stage, and also be the first time that he has worked with his actress daughter Rosalind, who will be playing one of Lear's three daughters, Goneril.
Caroline Devlin, who directs her sixth production for the company following Henry V and Othello in 2014, commented that, "this production draws inspiration from the great dynasties of the fin-de-siecle, when powerful families dominated the globe, jostling and competing for ultimate control. An era synonymous with glamour and decadence, with power and ambition and ultimately with ignorance and a shameless lack of humanity.
"Against this backdrop we create a timeless setting for Shakespeare's King Lear."
King Lear has a limited run of 29 performances, and the intimate setting of the Georgian church means a limited seating capacity.
An audio-described performance for blind or visually impaired patrons is scheduled for Saturday 7 February at 2:30PM. There will be a special allocation of twenty £12.50 tickets set aside on Mondays each for under-25s, students and jobseekers.