King Lear (Almeida Theatre) London Reviews and Tickets

95%

(5 Ratings)

Positive

100%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Absorbing, Clever, Great acting, Entertaining, Exquisite

About the Show

Olivier Award-nominee Yaël Farber directs this adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy.

An aging King Lear decides it's time to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, Goneril, Regan & Cordelia. Goneril and Regan flatter their father with grand displays of love to win his affection, while Cordelia refuses to engage in her sister's deception. Upset by Cordelia's seeming lack of love, Lear disowns her and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to his downfall.

Danny Sapani ('Black Panther', 'The Crown') takes on the titular role in Olivier Award-nominee Yaël Farber's ('The Tragedy of Macbeth') retelling of Shakespeare’s subversive epic about the ill-fated monarch.

This production is recommended for ages 15+.

Show-Score Member Reviews (5)

100

Great singing, Great writing, Great staging, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if Acto muso or new adaptations of classics are your thing this piece truly is on another level

Don't see it if your expecting the normal Shakespeare classic it's alot darker

100

Moving, Entertaining, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Superbly acted. A true ensemble piece. Music, design, costumes, all adding something more. It is at times brutal but also tender.

Don't see it if You don’t like Shakespeare or can’t sit still. It is a long play. Top tip: stay for a drink. I met most of the cast in the bar after.

Intense, Masterful, Epic, Great acting, Exquisite

See it if You like Shakespearean Tragedy that is raw, vital, visceral, exceptional. This is about as good as it gets. Sapani is a Lear for the Ages.

Don't see it if 3.5 hours of the harsher realities of life isn't for you. It's a test of focus and resilience, and ultimately devastating. Read more

Intelligent, Slow, Clever, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if Good telling of the story, King+Fool scenes worked very well. Some other great performances

Don't see it if A long production but that said I was kept hooked throughout.

Clever, Absorbing, Ambitious

See it if A fresh and contemporary take on the play. Fantastic acting. Brilliantly directed. Visually spectacular. Brought out the best of Shakespeare

Don't see it if First half was two hours long but it was absorbing and I didn’t feel it dragged.