ONE of the iconic names of the stage will be appearing in a production of King Lear at Malvern’s Festival Theatre this week.

A four-times Olivier award nominee, Michael Pennington has played numerous roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company in a career spanning over 50 years, and was co-founder of the English Shakespeare Company.

His recent notable performances have been as Edgar in Strindberg's The Dance of Death, at the Gate Theatre, John of Gaunt in Richard II (RSC), and as Anthony Blunt in Alan Bennett's Single Spies at the Rose Theatre Kingston.

He played the role of Lear to great acclaim at the Shakespeare Center New York in 2014 and now this new production will see him play the role in the UK for the first time.

He said: "I am very proud to be on the road playing King Lear in Max Webster's brilliant production with a tremendous cast, criss-crossing the country in this greatest of all Shakespeare's dramas. It’s a modern morality tale whose themes are as relevant today as when the play was written. Whether you've seen the play many times or never, we can promise you a terrific evening.”

William Shakespeare’s epic tragedy focuses on an ageing tyrant’s decision to divide his kingdom which subsequently tears his family apart, sparks catastrophic civil war and destroys all that he has.

Driven from his home, King Lear endures madness and great suffering as he battles a great storm. Yet with madness he finds reason, after betrayal he discovers loyalty and through his suffering a better world emerges.

Michael Pennington is joined by a distinguished cast of 13 actors. Newly announced in the role of Goneril is Catherine Bailey (Julius Caesar and The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s Globe, The 39 Steps, West End) and Sally Scott (King Charles III, West End) as Regan.

They join Beth Cooke (King Lear, Abbey Theatre Dublin, Much Ado About Nothing, Old Vic) playing Cordelia and Pip Donaghy (seasons with 7:84 and Joint Stock) as Gloucester. Other cast members include Shane Attwooll (Cornwall), Reginald Edwards (Burgundy), Joshua Elliott (Fool), Gavin Fowler (Edgar), Caleb Frederick (France), Scott Karim (Edmund), Tom McGovern (Kent) and Daniel O’Keefe (Oswald).

Max Webster (The Lorax, Old Vic; Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s Globe; Twelfth Night, Regent’s Park) leads a creative team including designer Adrian Linford (Dear Lupin), Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Natasha Chivers (Oresteia and 1984) and composer Matthew Bugg (Hound of the Baskervilles).

Director Max Webster commented: “In the year that marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, it’s thrilling to be directing one of his greatest tragedies, and to be working with Michael who is one of the most respected Shakespearean actors of our time. I look forward to our talented cast bringing a gripping new interpretation to audiences across the UK.”

This new Royal and Derngate Theatre production is presented by the Ambassador Theatre Group and opens tomorrow - Monday, June 27, at the Festival Theatre and runs through to Saturday, July 2.