Photos: Ian McDiarmid and More Rehearse KING LEAR at Sheffield Theatres

Titas Halder directs the new production, which begins performances at the Crucible Theatre on August 29.

By: A.A. Cristi Aug. 11, 2026

Sheffield Theatres have released rehearsal images ahead of the premiere of a brand-new production of King Lear directed by Donmar Warehouse Associate Artistic Director TITAS HALDER (The Dance of Death) which plays from Sat 29 August – Sat 19 September.

A company of actors will play across a double-bill of two major new Shakespearean productions in the world-famous Crucible Theatre this autumn including King Lear and Twelfth Night directed by Jamie Glover (The Homecoming) which plays from Sat 10 – Sat 31 October 2026.

A rare event in contemporary theatre, the company will play two or more roles across the season in both productions. The company are joined by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Ian McDiarmid (Star Wars) in King Lear and Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) in Twelfth Night.

The company includes David Birrell as Gloucester/Feste, James Chetwood as Oswald/Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Mark Holgate as Kent/Antonio, Christopher Jordan as Curan/Priest/Valentine & Second Officer, Justina Kehinde as Regan/Olivia, Hazel Monaghan as Swing/Actor-Musician, Harry Redding as Edgar/Sebastian, Max Revell as Fool/Curio, Jay Saighal as Cornwall/Fabian, Bebe Sanders as Cordelia/Viola, Sachin K Sharma as France/Captain & Sea Captain/First Officer, Fode Simbo as Edmund/Orsino, Milo Twomey as Albany/Sir Toby Belch and Katie Wimpenny as Goneril/Maria.

The full creative team for King Lear are Director TITAS HALDER, Set & Costume Designer Richard Kent, Lighting Designer Ryan Day, Composer Sarah Angliss, Sound Designer Emma Laxton, Fight, Movement and Intimacy Director Yarit Dor, Associate Fight Director Enric Ortuño, Casting Director Matilda James, Dramaturg Sophie Duncan, Associate Director Vicky Moran, Voice & Text Coach Barbara Houseman and Assistant Director Marc Small. King Lear is presented in association with MGC, which marks a reunion for Sheffield Theatres and former Artistic Director Michael Grandage.

The full creative team for Twelfth Night are Director Jamie Glover, Set & Costume Designer Amanda Stoodley, Lighting Designer Richard Howell, Composer & Musical Director Genevieve Dawson, Sound Designer Raffaela Pancucci, Movement Director Charlotte Broom, Casting Director Matilda James, Associate Director Vicky Moran, Voice & Text Coach Barbara Houseman and Assistant Director Marc Small.

Photo Credit: Johan Persson