“Ian McKellen reigns supreme in this triumphant production.” – Daily Telegraph

Jonathan Munby directs this powerful contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s tender, violent, moving and shocking play, starring Sir Ian McKellen in the title role. Considered by many to be the greatest tragedy ever written, King Lear sees two aging fathers – one a King, one his courtier – reject the children who truly love them. Their blindness unleashes a tornado of pitiless ambition and treachery, as family and state are plunged into a violent power struggle with bitter ends.

What is National Theatre Live?
National Theatre Live is an initiative operated by the Royal National Theatre in London, which captures live performances of their productions and provides these high definition and quality recordings to cinemas and community centers around the world.Though each broadcast is filmed in front of a live audience in the theatre, cameras are carefully positioned throughout the auditorium to ensure that audiences get the “best seat in the house” view of each production.