If you were an actor walking into the first day of King Lear rehearsals at The Old Vic, you might be forgiven for being more than a little awed by your fellow company members.
Double Academy Award winner Glenda Jackson making her return to the stage in one of Shakespeare’s greatest roles, Lear, a quarter of a century after she gave up acting for politics. Olivier Award-winning actress Celia Imrie as Goneril. Stars of stage and screen Rhys Ifans as Fool and Jane Horrocks as Regan. Or how about Harry Potter star Harry Melling in the role of Edgar?
Legendary theatremaker Deborah Warner certainly has some excellent cast members at her directorial disposal for the Waterloo venue’s excitingly high profile production, so it’s a real treat to be granted a glimpse into a rehearsal room which already seems to be well in its stride, judging from the exciting photos above.
King Lear tells the story of an ageing monarch who gradually descends into vengeful and furious insanity, amalgamating tragedy with corruption, deceit and sheer poignancy. The show begins previewing tonight (25 October), and runs until 2 December.
You can book your tickets through us here.