Michael Pennington is reprising his role as Lear which he played at the Shakespeare Center New York in 2014.
His career crosses five decades and includes twice being a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, working at Chichester, the National Theatre and in the West End.
Recent stage performances include Strindberg's The Dance of Death, adapted by Howard Brenton, and Alan Bennett's Single Spies. On film, he played Michael Foot in The Iron Lady.
He is co–founder of the English Shakespeare Company with director Michael Bogdanov.
Michael Pennington is joined by a cast of thirteen actors. Beth Cooke will play Cordelia and Pip Donaghy will play Gloucester.
Other cast members include Joshua Elliott (Fool), Gavin Fowler (Edgar), Scott Karim (Edmund) and Daniel O’Keefe (Oswald).
King Lear is directed by Philip Franks.
After a three week run at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, King Lear tours as follows:
- Oxford Playhouse
- Theatre Royal Brighton
- Richmond Theatre
- Grand Opera House York
- Manchester Opera House
- Theatre Royal Bath
- The Hall for Cornwall Truro
- Cambridge Arts Theatre
- Malvern Theatre
King Lear is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group in association with the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton. It is suitable for those aged over 14.