New Rehearsal Photos for KING LEAR at Royal Exchange Theatre Ahead of October Opening

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Performances will run 2 October - 15 November 2026.

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All new rehearsal photos have been released for KING LEAR at the Royal Exchange Theatre, running 2 October - 15 November 2026. Check out the photos below!

Shakespeare’s most elemental tragedy charts a kingdom where power corrupts, families become enemies and prosperity devolves into war. At its centre is the mind of a man who can no longer understand what it means to be human. This reimagining of Shakespeare’s masterwork is adapted and directed by  Matthew Dunster , who returns for his sixth engagement at the Royal Exchange in a unique and emotionally charged take on one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

KING LEAR stars  David Threlfall  and Nadine Shah, and the full cast includes Isobel Akuwudike, Harry Clarke , Ed Coleman , Lisa Diveney , Jason Done, Rupert Hill , Grace Jabbari, Nicholas Karimi , Gabin Kongolo , Jessica Mannion, Ryan Pope , Anwar Russell, Jonathan Slinger , Paddy Stafford and Tom Varey .

KING LEAR is adapted and directed by Matthew Dunster . The creative team includes Set Designer, Anna Fleischle ; Costume Designer , Cat Fuller ; Associate Director, Emma Baggott; Lighting Designer, Lucy Carter ; Composer, Nadine Shah; Sound Designer, Holly Khan ; Movement Director, Charlotte Broom ; Fight & Intimacy Director, Maisie Carter ; Casting Director, Amy Ball CDG; Associate Set Designer, Cat Fuller ; Birkbeck Assistant Director, Lauren Tranter; Production Manager, Jim Leaver; Stage Manager (London), Olivia Kerslake; Stage Manager (Manchester), Anastasia Booth; Deputy Stage Manager, Olivia Roberts; Assistant Stage Manager, Jamie Craker.

Photo Credit: Helen Murphy

David Threlfall

Cast

Cast

Gabin Kongolo , Tom Varey

Jonathan Slinger

Lisa Diveney

Matthew Dunster , Lisa Diveney

Nicholas Karimi

Paddy Stafford

Rupert Hill , Anwar Russell

Anwar Russell, Nadine Shah

Ed Coleman , David Threlfall

Isobel Akuwudike, Harry Clarke

Ed Coleman , Ryan Pope , Grace, Jabbari

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Photos-KING-LEARin-Rehearsal-at-the-Royal-Exchange-Theatre-20260924)._