O, I have taken too little care of this!
Lear, Act 3, Scene 4
Shakespeare's epic of the imagination, King Lear, creates a portrait of a family and a country torn apart.
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes (including 20 minute interval)
Recommended age: 15+
Melbourne production patrons
Katherine Brazenor & Graeme Brazenor
King Lear has ruled for a lifetime. He has plans for succession – the Kingdom is to be shared among his three daughters. But when he is challenged, Lear’s reaction unravels his family and ultimately the country, hurling him into a storm of rage, self-discovery, and perhaps even acceptance.
Is this Shakespeare’s great exploration of ‘filial ingratitude’? Or the sad tale of an old man in decline and the terrible choices forced upon his daughters? Is it the story of an appallingly entitled and selfish king? Or a daughter too naïve and proud to compromise for an ailing father? It is about all these things, and more. Shakespeare’s epic of the imagination, performed in the profoundly intimate setting of The Neilson Nutshell and the Fairfax Studio.
For the first time since 2010, Bell Shakespeare presents King Lear. Directed by Peter Evans and starring one of Australia’s finest classical actors, Robert Menzies, this heart-wrenching new production promises to be powerful and utterly unforgettable.
About Robert Menzies
Robert Menzies is one of this country’s great classical actors. For Bell Shakespeare he has given us the fatherly, sensitive yet politic Polonius in Hamlet, and the poetic, philosophical but tough-minded Friar in Romeo and Juliet. Robert’s career spans four decades working on some of the great productions in our theatre history. We are thrilled to present his powerful, brilliant and entirely unique performance of Lear.
Planning your visit to King Lear
Robert Menzies and Janine Watson, King Lear (2024)
Lizzie Schebesta, Shameer Birges and Darius Williams, King Lear (2024)
Michael Wahr and Tamara Lee Bailey, King Lear (2024)
Darius Williams and Alex King, King Lear (2024)
Robert Menzies and Mel Kahraman, King Lear (2024)
Lizzie Schebesta, King Lear (2024)
Darius Williams, King Lear (2024)
James Thomasson, King Lear (2024)
Robert Menzies, King Lear (2024)
Brittany Santariga, King Lear (2024)
Jeremi Campese, King Lear (2024)
Tamara Lee Bailey and Darius Williams, King Lear (2024)
BOOK TICKETS
Tickets now on sale. Experience Bell Shakespeare productions as part of a 2024 season package.
King Lear
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14 June -
20 July14 June -
20 JulyThe Neilson Nutshell
Tickets now on sale
Season package ticket prices
Adult Premium: $93
Adult A-reserve: $75
Concession Premium: $77
Concession A-reserve: $64
Under 18/Under 35* Premium: $42
Under 18/Under35* A-reserve: $37
Single ticket prices
Adult Premium: $110
Adult A-reserve: $88
Concession Premium: $90
Concession A-reserve: $75
Under 18/Under 35* Premium: $45
Under 18/Under35* A-reserve: $40
Previews: $45
* Under 35s ticket prices are available for Tuesday - Thursday performances only. Under 18s prices are available for all performances.
King Lear
is recommended for audiences aged 15+. Please be advised this production contains depictions of violence consistent with Shakespeare’s original text. We recommend that adults accompanying young people should ensure they are familiar with the plot and content prior to viewing the performance.
Please note this production contains the use of strobe lights.
-
25 July -
11 Aug25 July -
11 AugArts Centre Melbourne
Tickets now on sale
Season package ticket prices
Adult Premium: $93
Adult A-reserve: $75
Concession Premium: $77
Concession A-reserve: $64
Under 18/Under 35* Premium: $42
Under 18/Under35* A-reserve: $37
Single ticket prices
Adult Premium: $110
Adult A-reserve: $88
Concession Premium: $90
Concession A-reserve: $75
Under 18/Under 35* Premium: $45
Under 18/Under35* A-reserve: $40
Previews: $45
* Under 35s ticket prices are available for Tuesday - Thursday performances only. Under 18s prices are available for all performances.
King Lear
is recommended for audiences aged 15+. Please be advised this production contains depictions of violence consistent with Shakespeare’s original text. We recommend that adults accompanying young people should ensure they are familiar with the plot and content prior to viewing the performance.
Please note this production contains the use of strobe lights.
School performances
King Lear
-
26 June -
03 July26 June -
03 JulyThe Neilson Nutshell
Gadigal Country
We strongly advise all teachers to ensure their students are familiar with the play's plot and discuss content, prior to viewing the performance. King Lear
is recommended for audiences aged 15+. Please be advised this production contains depictions of violence consistent with Shakespeare’s original text. We recommend that adults accompanying young people should ensure they are familiar with the plot and content prior to viewing the performance.
Please note this production contains the use of strobe lights.
Melbourne
Please note that due to upcoming refurbishment works happening at Arts Centre Melbourne and the resulting noise, it is not possible to present 11am school matinee performances during 2024. An allocation of tickets will be available to school groups during our regular performance schedule. Please email our Learning team to enquire about booking a school group into general public performances (best availability on Tuesday and Wednesday performances).
-
07 Aug
07 Aug
Arts Centre Melbourne
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country
We strongly advise all teachers to ensure their students are familiar with the play's plot and discuss content, prior to viewing the performance. King Lear
is recommended for audiences aged 15+. Please be advised this production contains depictions of violence consistent with Shakespeare’s original text. We recommend that adults accompanying young people should ensure they are familiar with the plot and content prior to viewing the performance.
Please note this production contains the use of strobe lights.
Melbourne
Please note that due to upcoming refurbishment works happening at Arts Centre Melbourne and the resulting noise, it is not possible to present 11am school matinee performances during 2024. An allocation of tickets will be available to school groups during our regular performance schedule. Please email our Learning team to enquire about booking a school group into general public performances (best availability on Tuesday and Wednesday performances).
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