Shakespearean star brings King Lear to the York stage

Royal Shakespeare Company stalwart and four-time Olivier Award nominee Michael Pennington comes to York Grand Opera House this month as King Lear – taking on the iconic role in the UK for the first time in his 50-year career.

The co-founder of the English Shakespeare Company previously played the tragic king to great acclaim at the Shakespeare Centre in New York in 2014.

In recent years, he’s also appeared as John of Gaunt in an RSC production of Richard II, as Anthony Blunt in Alan Bennett’s Single Spies and in film and TV roles running the gamut from Return of the Jedi to The Iron Lady (as Michael Foot), State of Play and The Bill.

Top-flight team

Michael is directed as Lear by Max Webster, associate director of the Old Vic in London, alongside a top-flight creative team that includes Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Natasha Chivers (Oresteia and 1984).

“In the year that marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, it’s thrilling to be directing one of his greatest tragedies, and to be working with Michael who is one of the most respected Shakespearean actors of our time,” said Max.

Michael is joined by a distinguished cast of thirteen actors, including Catherine Bailey as Goneril, Sally Scott as Regan, Beth Cooke as Cordelia and Pip Donaghy as Gloucester.