A king announces that he will divide his kingdom between his three daughters according to how much they love him.
Lear thinks he will live out his old age with all of the comforts of kingship, and none of the responsibility.  But the eldest two daughters, Goneril & Regan, have other ideas in mind – and he has given away all power to stop them.  His vanity has devastating consequences for family, nation and climate.

Our First Encounters Shakespeare production, makes Shakespeare’s play about family, power and betrayal relevant for a new generation of theatregoers, presenting Shakespeare’s work in a way that connects with young people through accessible storytelling, language, and narrative.

This 80-minute edited version of Shakespeare’s plays is a perfect introduction to his work and allows anyone – of any age – to have their first experience of Shakespeare’s work a memorable one. The productions are made to be accessible and interactive, whilst keeping in tone with the key plot points and premise of the story. RSC First Encounters: King Learis a show to entertain pupils and teachers alike, without sacrificing the integrity of the renowned playwright’s work.

The tour of First Encounters: King Lear is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, which makes it possible for the RSC to expand its tour to work in partnership with more places across England.