King Lear in Brooklyn - by Michael Pennington (Hardcover)

About the Book

Michael Pennington takes us on a fascinating journey through the play from the point of view of Lear himself.

Book Synopsis

What is King Lear really thinking of? What does his mysterious Fool dream about? What are the secret reasons for his daughters' revenge on their father? What really lies behind the most famous lines in Shakespeare's greatest tragedy?

Michael Pennington's performance as Lear in New York in 2014 was considered to be the equal of those of Paul Scofield and John Gielgud. This book - part memoir, part analysis, part adventure story - lights up the familiar text and the unique production he led. Funny, candid and deeply illuminating, both honest and scholarly, King Lear In Brooklyn is the work of one of our finest actor-writers at the top of his form.

Review Quotes

Michael Pennington is a great actor, and a great writer about actors and acting. This book has all the wit, wisdom and passion that characterises his performances. Here is a page-turning artistic journey to an undiscovered country on the map, and in the mind. It brings with it all the touchingly complex humanity that the author finds in King Lear itself. It is written with honesty, heart and humour by a master of his craft, and I thoroughly recommend it.

Michael Pennington is a Great actor, and a great writer about actors and acting. This book has all the wit, wisdom and passion that characterises his performances. Here is a page-turning artistic journey to an undiscovered country on the map, and in the mind. It brings with it all the touchingly complex humanity that the author finds in King Lear itself. It is written with honesty heart and humour by a master of his craft, and I thoroughly recommend it.
Kenneth Branagh

This great performer has a rare ability to describe the indescribable with such fine insights that his account of exploring both his Lear and his Life could be re-titled The Compleat Actor (though his modesty would balk at it), for that's what he is. I couldn't put it down.

About the Author

One of the world's major Shakespearian actors, Michael Pennington has played Hamlet, Timon of Athens, Berowne, Angelo, Richard II, Coriolanus, Macbeth, Henry V and Leontes in The Winter's Tale. In 2004 he gave the British Academy Shakespeare Lecture, the first practitioner to do so since 1925. He played Oedipus on BBC TV, Jude the Obscure on radio and Michael Foot in The Iron Lady.

He is the author of several books on Shakespeare, including Sweet William - Twenty Thousand Hours with Shakespeare, and of Are You There, Crocodile - Inventing Anton Chekhov. He continues to tour his solo shows, Sweet William and Anton Chekhov, throughout the world.