John Lithgow is your mad King Lear

King Lear visits the heart of Manhattan as the Public Theatre puts on a star-studded production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy in Central Park. John Lithgow stars as the mad king, alongside Annette Bening as Goneril. This year, Shakespeare in the Park celebrates its 52nd season of bringing great free theatre to this iconic venue. The production will be directed by Tony winner Daniel Sullivan.

This exciting production is part of the Public Theatre's annual Shakespeare in the Park event, a collection of free performances of some of the Bard's most well known plays performed at Central Park's Delacorte Theatre. Over five million people have enjoyed these performances since they first started almost 60 years ago, now a New York City summer institution as much as ice cones and sunbathing are.

What is King Lear about?

King Lear follows the demise of the King of England as his life unravels after disowning his favorite, and most loyal, daughter Cordelia. In order to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters, the ageing king asks each of them to declare how much they love him, his plan being to divide his fortunes according to the praises he receives. His plan, however, falls apart from the start as Cordelia refuses to comply. Enraged, he immediately banishes her and divides his Kingdom amongst the remaining two daughters - not knowing that this action will result in him losing everything he holds dear - and his mind.