Phillip Breen

Shinobu Otake takes on her first role as an adult male in *King Lear*! This much-talked-about production brings together a stellar cast including Rie Miyazawa, Ryo Narita, Erika Ikuta, Oji Suzuka, Eiji Yokota, Tamae Ando, Masanobu Katsumura, Hajime Yamazaki and others. King Lear (Shinobu Otake), King of Britain, decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters upon abdicating due to old age. His eldest daughter, Goneril (Rie Miyazawa), and his second daughter, Regan (Tamae Ando), skilfully flatter their father to please him, but his youngest daughter, Cordelia (Erika Ikuta), can only speak her mind honestly. Enraged, Lear disinherits her, and the Earl of Kent (Eiji Yokota), who tries to defend her, is also banished. Cordelia, though disinherited, becomes Queen of France, whilst Kent disguises himself to conceal his identity and returns to serve King Lear.

A screenwriter gets conned out of selling a script to a Hollywood producer by his brother, who pitches his own idea for a movie. The damaged relationship between two estranged brothers striving for success is deconstructed in this comedic and tension-filled production at the Tricycle Theatre, London, captured for screen by Digital Theatre.

Believed to be one of Shakespeare's earlier written plays; a comedy about separated family and mistaken identity. Recorded performance from the Royal Shakespeare Company 2021.