King Lear (BBC Radio Shakespeare) Audiobook on Audio Download, buy now from AudioGO

BBC radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard. In the acclaimed BBC Radio Shakespeare series, each play is introduced by Richard Eyre, former Director of the Royal National Theatre. Revitalised, original and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the new millennium.

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy about the King of Britain and his sudden, rash decision to disown the most virtuous of his three daughters now comes to you as a modernised full-cast audio dramatisation from the BBC.

This incredible play, considered to be one of the greatest contributions to English literature in all of history, merges the wily trickery of deceptive power seekers with the virtuous patience of those whose integrity is unjustly punished. As this powerful production runs its course, the fathers of both good and evil must come to terms with their own unwise actions before the realms of madness come to claim them.

This tragic tale of political corruption, familial loyalty and rash royal arrangements has been enjoyed by audiences for centuries upon centuries. Now, from the BBC Radio Collection, this unique and accessible audio play brings the legacy of King Lear alive once more.

Introduced by the former director of the Royal National Theatre, Richard Eyre, this BBC Drama production stars Colin Redgrave as King Lear, John Carlisle as the Duke of Gloucester, William Houston as Edmund, Robert Gleinster as Edgar and Justine Waddell as the virtuous Cordelia.

This BBC Radio production of ‘King Lear’ is available on CD audiobook or in downloadable MP3 format.