King Lear

King Lear is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare's tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written. King Lear abdicates the British throne, to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed love of him. His plan misfires when Cordelia, his youngest and favourite daughter, refuses to flatter her father; she is disinherited and banished.

This LibriVox recording marks the 400th anniversary of the first performance of the play, on December 26th 1606. (Summary by David Barnes).

Cast list

King Lear: Andy Minter
King of France: Ezwa
Duke of Burgundy, Messenger, Captain: Justin Barrett
Duke of Cornwall: Cori Samuel
Duke of Albany: Kristin LeMoine
Earl of Kent: Denny Sayers
Earl of Gloster: Julian Jamison
Edgar, Son to Gloster: Simon Taylor
Edmund, Bastard Son to Gloster: John Gonzalez
Curan, a Courtier: Karen Savage
Old Man, Tenant to Gloster: CarlManchester
Physician: Scott Walter
Fool: Sean McGaughey
Oswald, steward to Goneril: Andrew Lebrun
An Officer employed by Edmund: Henry Frigon
Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia: Kara Shallenberg
A Herald: Gesine
First Servant: Ophelia Darcy
Second Servant: Esther
Third Servant, Third Knight: Kirsten Ferreri
Goneril, daughter to Lear: Rosalind Wills
Regan, daughter to Lear: JemmaBlythe
Cordelia, daughter to Lear: Kristin Hughes
Stage directions: David Barnes

** LibriVox trivia….. This entire project was completed in just a week, from conception to delivery… A LibriVox record for a major dramatic work! **