
17 November 2026 - 2 January 2027
Lear
17 November 2026 - 2 January 2027
About
Ian McKellen has performed in King Lear 708 times. None of them like this.
McKellen: I’ve organised my life, for good or bad, so that acting is the main thing I do.
Lear: My wits begin to turn—
McKellen: So if I’m not acting, what’s the point?
Built from Shakespeare’s text and every conversation they recorded making it: a new play by Simon Stephens and Jay Miller, performed by Ian McKellen and an ensemble of knights.
About endings. Refusing to stop. And what’s left when you do.
This production is generously supported by Cockayne - Grants for the Arts and London Community Foundation.
With special thanks to our production and season circle, Carolyn Ward, Fiona Clements, Georgia Oetker, Johnny Handscombe, and those who wish to remain anonymous. For information on joining our circles, email samantha@theyardtheatre.co.uk.
Members go first.
On sale next week:
Yard Residents - Tuesday 3 November, noon
Yard Regulars - Wednesday 4 November, noon
General sale - Thursday 5 November, noon
BECOME A MEMBERDATES & TIMES
17 November — 2 January
Monday — Friday 7:30pm, with some Saturday matinees on 5 & 19 December and 2 January at 2:30pm.
PREVIEWS
17 — 30 November
NEW DATES
The initial run sold out in less than 30 minutes, so we’ve added new dates.
12 December - 2:30pm
24 December (Christmas Eve) - 12:30pm, 4:30pm
26 December (Boxing Day) - 2:30pm, 7:30pm
31 December (New Year’s Eve) - 7:30pm
1 January (New Year’s Day) - 7:30pm
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE
10 December, 7:30pm
BSL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
16 December, 7:30pm
*Previews are the first public performances of a production, before press come to review it.
Didn't get tickets? There are still ways in.
New dates. Tickets for the new festive dates go on sale for Yard Residents 3 November, noon BST, Yard Regulars 4 November, noon BST and the general public on 5 November, noon BST.
Returns. Sign up to be the first to hear if they drop.
Under 27? £5 tickets on the door through our No Empty Seats scheme. Any unsold seat, night of the show, first come first served.
Hear it first. Sign up to our newsletter and you’ll be the first to know about returns, new dates and everything else at The Yard.
*Yard Resident last minute seats do not apply to Lear. Check our memberships page for more details.
Can't make it?
Let us know. We'll resell your ticket and put it back to the people waiting.
Someone who couldn't get a seat gets to see Lear. You're not left out of pocket.
The Yard is the only place a ticket can be resold. Anything bought or sold anywhere else won't be valid.
Tell us as far ahead as you can.
Email boxoffice@theyardtheatre.co.uk or call 020 3606 0164.
HOW TO BOOK
ONLINE
Click BOOK NOW to buy tickets online. A £2.50 booking fee applies.
You'll need to create an account or log in first. Once you're signed in, available tickets will appear and you'll be able to book your seats.
Log in here.
To help as many people as possible see Lear, tickets are limited to two per person.
BOX OFFICE
Call 020 3606 0164, Monday to Friday, 10am–5.30pm. A £3 booking fee applies, waived on Access tickets.
The Yard is the only place a ticket can be resold or bought. Anything bought or sold anywhere else won't be valid.
TICKETS
Tickets range from £12.50 to £92.50 (inclusive of a £2.50 booking fee), with a smaller number of Legend seats from £150. Tickets for Lear are limited to two per customer.
LEGEND SEATS
Legend seats, for legends. Four held for every performance, for those who want to do more. It goes straight back into the work we do: new voices, tickets for schools, the chances we take. From £150.
NO EMPTY SEATS
If you're aged 27 and under, you can get £5 tickets at the door to all performances that are not sold out. Just show up 45 minutes before the show, and bring your ID.
CONCESSIONS
If you're aged 27 and under, 65+, a student, have access needs or are unwaged, tickets are priced cheaper.
ACCESS & SUITABILITY
ACCESS
Access tickets are priced as concessions and can be booked online. We offer free tickets for companions, and these must be booked by emailing boxoffice@theyardtheatre.co.uk or calling our Box Office at 020 3606 0164.
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE
10 December, 7:30pm
BSL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
16 December, 7:30pm
ACCESS MEMBERSHIP
Access Members get seats held for performances, tickets at the access rate and companion tickets where you need one. Membership is free.
Become an Access Member or contact us at boxoffice@theyardtheatre.co.uk or call 020 3606 0164, Monday to Friday, 10am-5:30pm.
AGE GUIDANCE
Recommended for ages 16+
CONTENT ADVICE & RUNNING TIME
They'll be available closer to opening. This show is still being made.
PRODUCTION CIRCLE
Get closer to the action by joining our production circle.
For a gift of £10,000-£15,000, peek behind the scenes and get access to the creative process and the team making it happen.
Spaces are limited. We’ve got 5 spots up for grabs.
Email our Development Manager, Sam, for more.
GET IN TOUCHTeam
Cast
Ian Mckellen
Taylor Russell
- Cordelia