The History of King Lear
The History of King Lear is an adaptation by Nahum Tate of William Shakespeare's "King Lear". It first appeared in 1681, some seventy-five years after Shakespeare's version, and is believed to have replaced Shakespeare's version on the English stage in whole or in part until 1838.
Paapa Essiedu
Essiedu joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012 to play Fenton in Phillip Breen's production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor". Afterwards, he went to the National Theatre, playing Burgundy and understudying Edmund in Sam Mendes’ production of "King Lear". When Sam Troughton lost his voice during a performance, Essiedu stepped in and played the role to critical acclaim. He has acted in "Outside on the Street ("Pleasance Theatre)", Black Jesus" (Finborough Theatre)", Romeo and Juliet" (Tobacco Factory)", You For Me For You" (Royal Court), and most recently the title role in "Hamlet" and Edmund in "King Lear", both at the (Royal Shakespeare Company). The judges described his Hamlet as one the audience listened to "completely still", and they noted that as an actor he could turn on a sixpence – sweet, playful and flirtatious one minute, and fiercely intelligent the next. "Like all great actors", a judge noted, he "made all the lines his own". His Edmund in "King Lear" was noted for his chilling contempt and cynicism.