There’s nothing quite like a bit of family drama, is there? And if Shakespeare has taught us anything, it’s that when it comes to dysfunctional families, nobody does it quite like the royals. Enter King Lear at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, where a decision about who gets the family inheritance spirals spectacularly out of control. Honestly, we’ve all had an awkward family gathering, but I don’t think many of us have managed to bring down an entire kingdom in the process.

The story follows King Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters based on how much they profess to love him. Two daughters are more than happy to shower him with flattery, while Cordelia refuses to play the game. And Lear? Well, he throws a spectacular strop, banishes the daughter who actually tells him the truth and sets himself on a path to disaster. A gentle reminder that perhaps making life-changing decisions based on who gives you the biggest compliment isn’t the best strategy.

David Threlfall takes centre stage as Lear, delivering a performance that captures the downfall of a man who has spent far too long believing he’s always right. Watching his confidence crumble as he loses his power, his family and ultimately his grip on reality is both compelling and heartbreaking. Beneath all the royal bluster is a man desperately trying to hold on to the one thing he’s never really understood: the difference between being feared and being loved.

Nadine Shah’s Goneril and Lisa Diveney’s Regan bring plenty of bite to the family feud, with ambition and betrayal bubbling away beneath the surface. Meanwhile, Isobel Akuwudike’s Cordelia is a poignant reminder that sometimes telling the truth comes at a cost. There’s plenty to unpack here, from sibling rivalry to power struggles, and it’s safe to say this family could do with a very long group therapy session.

The Royal Exchange’s intimate, in-the-round space brings the audience right into the heart of the drama, making the betrayals feel all the more uncomfortable. Matthew Dunster’s direction gives this Shakespearean classic a contemporary edge, helping its themes of ageing, pride and family dysfunction feel surprisingly relevant. At around three hours, it’s certainly not a quick little night at the theatre, and Shakespeare does occasionally require you to give your brain a gentle nudge to keep up, but there’s plenty here to get your teeth into.

Overall, King Lear is a powerful, thought-provoking night at the theatre, anchored by Threlfall’s compelling performance and a story that proves some family problems really are timeless. It’s not exactly the feel-good show to book if you’re after a light-hearted evening out, but it will certainly give you plenty to chat about on the way home. The verdict? Come for the Shakespeare, stay for the family drama, and leave feeling very grateful that your own inheritance conversations probably won't end in a kingdom-wide catastrophe

King Lear plays at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre until 15th November.

★★★★

Written by Siobhan for Theatre and Tonic, October 2026.

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