Michael Pennington, one of the country’s foremost actors, leads a distinguished cast in the title role of Max Webster’s new production of King Lear, playing at Hall for Cornwall from June 13 to 18.

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 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.

Four times Olivier Award-nominee Michael Pennington 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.