King Lear Broadcast from London at Town Hall Theater

King Lear, the third in this season of National Theatre Live broadcasts at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater, has been called "life changing and unmissable." The Guardian says it is "fast...vivid, clear and...overwhelmingly moving." What drives this production, according to the Guardian review, is its lead actor, Derek Jacobi.

Jacobi is a founding member of The National, and widely considered one of the finest classical actors working. His Lear captures the full depth and breadth of one of Shakespeare's most emotionally and psychologically complex characters. The production is directed and designed simply, and performed in London's smaller Donmar Warehouse, offering audiences a more intimate, emotional look at what is often a grand and sweeping tragedy.

King Lear will be broadcast in HD at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater on Thursday, February 3 at 7:00 pm. Tickets, $17, may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sat, noon-5 pm) and at the door, if available.

Photo caption: Derek Jacobi is Lear and Pippa Bennett-Warner his daughter Cordelia in the National Theatre Live broadcast of King Lear at Town Hall Theater, Middlebury on February 3, 7:00 pm. Tickets: 802-382-9222; www.townhalltheater.org.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Lighting Design - Top 3

1. Jen Schriever, Michael Arden - The Lost Boys

35.7% of votes

2. Jack Knowles - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

10% of votes

3. Kevin Adams - Chess

7.6% of votes

Vote Now! View Live Stats