Matthew Dunster's modern reimagining of Shakespeare's tragedy, with David Threlfall as King Lear, set in a world of wealthy, privileged families.
David Threlfall is back at the Royal Exchange Theatre in King Lear, his first time playing the title role in Shakespeare's tragedy here. It's a big return: Threlfall hasn't worked at the Royal Exchange in 27 years, and this is his sixth engagement at the venue. He takes the lead in Matthew Dunster's reimagining of the play, which Dunster both adapted and is directing in the theatre's distinctive in-the-round space.
It's not the Lear you might expect. The production opens on a lively party where the characters dance, drink and sing karaoke, and Dunster sets the whole thing in a modern world of wealthy, privileged families. Threlfall is joined by Nadine Shah as Goneril, Lisa Diveney as Regan, Isobel Akuwudike as Cordelia and Jonathan Slinger as Gloucester. It's billed as one of the most anticipated shows of the Royal Exchange's 50th anniversary year.
Threlfall brings a long career to the part. He's well known for Shameless, which won him the RTS Best Actor award, and he's worked on both sides of the Atlantic, with a Tony nomination for Hangmen on Broadway and an Olivier for Best Supporting Actor for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
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Previews opened on Friday 2 October, and the production runs until Saturday 15 November. It's a long one, around three hours including an interval, with age guidance of 16+. Standard tickets start from £12, plus a £2.00 booking fee.
