'King Lear' review — Kenneth Branagh takes on Shakespeare’s aged king

Read our review of King Lear off Broadway, a new production of Shakespeare's tragedy at The Shed co-directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh in the title role.

“You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, as full of grief as age!” So rages Kenneth Branagh in the title role of Shakespeare’s tragic King Lear. Branagh’s Lear, even while raving mad, is full of power and even a bit of comedic relief. He tackles Lear with all the experience and nuance that can only come from decades of playing Shakespeare's leading men, as Branagh has. But every time Lear or someone else refers to him as old, it falls flat. Branagh comes across as not old enough, and here not vulnerable enough, for the part.

After a 2023 run in London, Branagh’s King Lear is now playing at The Shed. The rest of the cast is made up of recent graduates from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art - an endearing casting choice, especially since Branagh himself is a RADA graduate and was until recently its president. However, this move seems to confirm that this production of King Lear, a play about old age, is not really interested in depicting old age.

Branagh, who also co-directed the production (alongside Rob Ashford and Lucy Skilbeck), is a renowned Shakespearean. He’s known not only for his stage roles but for film adaptations of Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, and Hamlet, all of which he directed and starred in. Like these films, this production of King Lear builds a visually impressive world that firmly anchors the characters. King Lear is set in the Neolithic period, perhaps inspired by prehistoric British legend that apparently inspired Shakespeare’s play. With animal-fur costumes, huge wooden spears, seriously impressive fight choreography, and Stongehenge-like slabs to convey a sense of space, the details of this production are as engrossing as a film.

The young cast includes some standout actors, such as Jessica Revell in the double role of Cordelia and the Fool. Both characters have a sweet, endearing rapport with the almost-too-vibrant Lear. Dylan Corbett-Bader, as the scheming Edmund, is a strong presence on stage, a worthy villain who is powerful and even a little funny in his arrogance.

King Lear is stripped down to two hours, focusing more on the external conflicts than any internal ones. This makes for an action-packed show, but without some of the more emotionally resonant scenes, the tragic ending doesn’t quite pack a punch.

King Lear summary

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy tells the tale of an old king who decides to divide up his kingdom between his three daughters before he steps down. He asks the daughters to tell him how much they love him to determine how much land they will get. When his youngest daughter Cordelia fails to flatter him, he disowns her.

But King Lear soon realizes that the flowery words of his older daughters, now the new rulers, may not have been sincere. The old king’s mistreatment snowballs into a struggle of old powers against younger ones. With the country in chaos, Cordelia returns with an army, hoping to set things right.

What to expect at King Lear

The Shed is a unique venue, but don’t get too distracted by the theatre’s surroundings before the show, as its Griffin Theatre - several escalators’ ride above ground level - closes its doors the minute the show is scheduled to begin, with no leniency for start times. There is no late seating.

Branagh’s King Lear is an intensely physical play, with actors running in and out of the audience wielding huge spears. The show comes with a content warning for scenes of violence and torture. Audience members who know their Shakespeare will know to prepare for a scene in which a character has his eyes taken out by the enemy, accomplished in this production with gruesome realism - viewers, be warned.

What audiences are saying about King Lear

King Lear has mixed reviews on Show-Score, with a 58% audience approval rating at the time of publication. Audience members offered varying opinions on the casting and character interpretations, cuts to the script, and lighting.

• “It’s probably obvious: the main reason to see this adaptation of King Lear is Kenneth Branagh who, in the lead role, is excellent if not a bit too feisty…” -Show-Score user GirlFriday
• “This was a well-acted plot only version of Lear.” -Show-Score user CARY H
• “A true showcase of immersive depth and talent of each actor.” -Show-Score user Agata 4307

Read more audience reviews of King Lear on Show-Score.

Who should see King Lear

• Fans of Kenneth Branagh won’t want to miss the chance to see him bring his talent to one of Shakespeare’s greatest roles.
• With its unique costuming and staging, as well as interfamily warring, King Lear would appeal to fans of shows like The Last Kingdom or Vikings.
• Theatregoers who are put off by the long length of Shakespeare plays might want to check out this adaptation, which runs for just two hours with no intermission.

Learn more about King Lear off Broadway

With plenty of action, this King Lear is exciting and accessible, but with a stripped-down script, it’s missing a lot of heart.

Learn more about King Lear on New York Theatre Guide. King Lear is at The Shed through December 15.

Photo credit: King Lear off Broadway. (Photos by Marc J. Franklin)