The first edition of ''King Lear'' developed by and for the RSC, with unique material including a new introduction from Jonathan Bate and interviews with important RSC directors. This is the first edition of ''King Lear'' to be developed by and for the RSC, the world's leading Shakespeare theater company and it includes unique material to help the reader understand and enjoy Shakespeare on the stage as well as on the page. It is illustrated with photographs of classic and unusual performances. It features outstanding on-page notes which explain words and phrases unfamiliar to a modern audience, including the slang, political references and bawdy humor often ignored or censored in competing editions. It includes scene-by-scene summary, offering an easily understandable way into the play new introduction by Jonathan Bate, exploring the text and critical debates around it.This book features: summary of the play's performance history, at the RSC and elsewhere; and, interviews with important Shakespearean directors Adrian Noble, Trevor Nunn and Deborah Warner discussing key productions at the RSC.From the Royal Shakespeare Company, this fresh edition offers new insight into Shakespeare's dark tragedy through interviews with leading directors Adrian Noble, Trevor Nunn and Deborah Warner, outstanding scene-by-scene analysis and on-page notes, and a thought-provoking new introduction from celebrated scholar Jonathan Bate.