Four time Olivier Award-nominee Michael Pennington to play King Lear at the Opera House in May

Acclaimed Shakespearean actor Michael Pennington takes the title role in a new production of King Lear at the Opera House next month.

Michael has played numerous roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company in a career spanning over 50 years, and was co-founder of the English Shakespeare Company.

He played the role of Lear to great acclaim at the Shakespeare Center New York in 2014. This new production will see him play the role in the UK for the first time.

Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, thought by many to be Shakespeare’s greatest work, tells the story of how 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 and great suffering as he battles a great storm. Yet with madness he finds reason, after betrayal he discovers loyalty, and through his suffering a better world emerges.

Michael says the play is “a modern morality tale whose themes are as relevant today as when the play was written. Whether you’ve seen the play many times or never, we can promise you a terrific evening.”

The production has received rave reviews with The Reviews Hub calling it “a pinnacle of a wonderful career on the stage” and What’s on Stage calling it “a majestic success.

Director Max Webster said: “In the year that marks the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, it’s thrilling to be directing one of his greatest tragedies, and to be working with Michael who is one of the most respected Shakespearean actors of our time.”

Tickets

Opera House, Manchester

Tuesday 31 May – Saturday 4 June

Tue – Sat eves 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm

Book now at www.atgtickets.com/Manchester or by calling the box office on 0844 871 3018.