17 November 2026 - 2 January 2027
Lear
17 November 2026 - 2 January 2027
About
Ian McKellen has performed in King Lear over a thousand 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?
A man who has given his life to playing; a king at the end of everything.
Shakespeare’s King Lear, reimagined by Simon Stephens and Jay Miller, with Ian McKellen.
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.
Lear is sold out. There are still ways in.
Returns. Tickets come back throughout the run, and we release them in batches to our newsletter. Sign up to be the first to hear when they drop.
Check back. Returns come back into the system right up to the day of a performance, so it’s worth looking again, especially the morning of a show.
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.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERCan'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.
DATES & TIMES
17 November — 2 January
Monday — Friday 7pm, with some Saturday matinees on 5 & 19 December and 2 January at 2:30pm.
PREVIEWS
17 — 30 November
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE
10 December, 7pm
BSL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
16 December, 7pm
*Previews are the first public performances of a production, before press come to review it.
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 four 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 to £300. Tickets for Lear are limited to 4 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, 7pm
BSL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
16 December, 7pm
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-530pm.
AGE GUIDANCE, CONTENT ADVICE & RUNNING TIME
They'll be available closer to opening. This show is still being made.