As The Prince of Homburg opens at the Donmar, Michael Grandage, the company's Artistic Director announces a major expansion to the run of his forthcoming production of King Lear, which will see the company tour nationally, and will be broadcast to over 22 countries worldwide in collaboration with National Theatre Live.
The production will embark on an eight week national tour following performances at the Donmar. This increases the company's UK touring programme which in previous years has visited three English venues and sees the Donmar engage with more regional venues than ever before throughout England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
As the Donmar expands its digital and broadcast output to create a platform to enable the public greater access to the company's work, it will screen King Lear on 3rd February 2011 as part of National Theatre Live. Responding to the constantly evolving and exciting changes within the theatre community, the Donmar is proud to partner with the National Theatre and give a potentially vast international audience an opportunity to engage with its work.
The Donmar continues its education work with the schools matinee programme and a project which rolls out nationwide to complement the company's touring work.
Artistic Director Michael Grandage said today, "This initiative is born of a desire to share our work with as many people as possible. I believe Derek Jacobi's King Lear will be an event that deserves to be seen beyond the Donmar Warehouse and I'm delighted we are expanding our UK touring programme, as well as going out live to over 300 cinemas worldwide. It means a Donmar production featuring one of our finest Shakespearean actors will be available to more people than we could ever hold in our Covent Garden home.
"I am proud to be teaming up with the National Theatre to broadcast King Lear and excited by the opportunities that it will present to us. It is important for us create long term partnerships and shared goals in the coming years and the announcement to expand our digital output demonstrates the Donmar's commitment to the changing times that lie ahead."
CASTING UPDATE
The Donmar Warehouse presents King Lear By William Shakespeare
Cast includes: Pippa Bennett-Warner, Ron Cook, Michael Hadley, Derek Jacobi, Paul Jesson,
Gina McKee, Justine Mitchell
Director: Michael Grandage; Designer: Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer: Neil Austin; Composer and Sound Designer: Adam Cork
