The History of King Lear the complete Shakespeare text in 1845. In Shakespeare's version, Lear, King of Britain, is growing old, and decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters – Goneril, wife of the Duke of Albany, Regan, wife of the Duke of Cornwall, and the youngest daughter, Cordelia, sought in marriage by the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France. The King decides that he will give the best part of the kingdom to the daughter who loves him most, and asks his three daughters to state how much they love him. Goneril and Regan make hypocritical, flattering speeches, and are
King Lear to be that old and to be banished from your family into the open air in a storm. That's a level of impoverishment you would never want to see in any other human being, ever." In 2016 Talawa Theatre Company and Royal Exchange Manchester co-produced a production of "King Lear" with Don Warrington in the title role. The production, featuring a largely black cast, was described in "The Guardian" as being "as close to definitive as can be". "The Daily Telegraph" said "Don Warrington's King Lear is a heartbreaking tour de force". "King Lear" was also staged by Royal Shakespeare