HomeArts & LifestyleATG announces major UK tour of King Lear

ATG announces major UK tour of King Lear

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has announced that a major new production of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, King Lear, will embark on a UK tour to nine regional venues from April to July in association with the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton.

After a three week run at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in April, the venues for this tour include Oxford Playhouse (25th–30th April), Theatre Royal Brighton (3rd-7th May), Richmond Theatre (9th-14th May), Grand Opera House, York (23rd–28th May), Manchester Opera House (31st May–4th June), Theatre Royal Bath (6th-11th June), The Hall for Cornwall Truro (13th–18th June), Cambridge Arts Theatre (20th–Sat 25th June) and Malvern Theatre (27th June – 2nd July).

Renowned Shakespearian actor and two time Olivier award nominee Michael Pennington will reprise the role of King Lear after his highly acclaimed performance at the Shakespeare Center New York in 2014.

The Brooklyn Eagle said of his performance: “Michael Pennington will break your heart.  One of England’s foremost classical actors, this is a King Lear to grieve for in Shakespeare’s darkest play”.

Michael Pennington is joined by a distinguished cast of thirteen actors.

In Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, an ageing tyrant’s decision to divide his kingdom tears his family apart, sparks catastrophic civil war and destroys all that he has. Driven from his home, King Lear endures madness, blindness and great suffering as he battles a great storm. Yet with madness he finds reason, from blindness he gains new sight, after betrayal he discovers loyalty and through his suffering a better world emerges.

ATG Joint Chief Executive Sir Howard Panter commented: “The eyes of the world will be on Britain this year, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. To mark this significant year, we are delighted to be bringing this major new production of King Lear to so many regional British playhouses and I am particularly proud that Michael Pennington, one of the finest Shakespearian actors of our time, will be playing Lear.”

See http://www.atgtickets.com/ for details on the tour and booking information.

Greg Jameson
Greg Jameson
Book editor, with an interest in cult TV.

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