‘Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.’

In an attempt to spend the remaining years of his life unburdened by the pressures of monarchy, King Lear decides to pass his lands and responsibilities to his three daughters.

When he tells them they must secure their inheritance by proving how much they love him, his eldest daughters make dramatic speeches. The youngest, refuses and is banished by her father.

Once in control of their father’s kingdom, Lear’s remaining daughters trade declarations of love for cold hearted treachery, ejecting the former king from their homes, and stripping him of his authority, his dignity, and ultimately, his sanity.

Ian McDiarmid returns to Sheffield to play the title role. He is an Olivier and Tony award-winning theatre actor, as well as having multiple screen credits including Palpatine in the Star Wars franchise.