King Lear

Synopsis: A restaging by Trevor Nunn and Chris Hunt of Nunn’s 2007 production of King Lear for the Royal Shakespeare Company with Ian McKellen in the title role.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 25 Dec 2008 at 21:00 (Channel: More4)
Duration: 180 mins

Notes: The stage performances recorded on video by the RSC and Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) are catalogued separately.

The DVD extras include scene selection and an illuminating interview with McKellen in which he talks about the play and his approach to the role. He also makes very interesting observations on how a performance is perceived on stage, in the cinema and on television.
General: Filmed in High Definition at Pinewood Studios.
History: The production is available on DVD from retail outlets and is catalogued separately.

The play was first screened in the USA 25 March 2009 on PBS in the Great Performances series. In this screening McKellen was not seen naked. The production may be streamed at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/king-lear/watch-the-play/487 (9/2009).

Ian McKellen	Lear
Romola Garai	Cordelia
William Gaunt	Earl of Gloucester
Sylvester McCoy	Fool
Ben Meyjes	Edgar, later disguised as Tom o’Bedlam
Adam Booth	Knight
Adam Booth	Servant
Ben Addis	King of France
David Weston	Gentleman
Frances Barber	Goneril
Guy Williams	Duke of Cornwall
James Hefferman	Oswald
Jim Creighton	Soldier
Jonathan Hyde	Earl of Kent
Julian Harries	Duke of Albany
Kieran Bew	Soldier
Melanie Jessop	2nd Gloucester servant (Servant)
Monica Dolan	Regan
Naomi Capron	Maid
Peter Hinton	Duke of Burgundy
Peter Hinton	Captain
Philip Winchester	Edmund
Richard Goulding	Messenger
Russell Byrne	Doctor
Russell Byrne	1st Gloucester servant (Servant)
Seymour Matthews	Curan
Zoe Boyle	Lady-in-Waiting

British Universities Film & Video Council