002 - Act 2

King Lear is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare's tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written. King Lear abdicates the British throne, to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed love of him. His plan misfires when Cordelia, his youngest and favourite daughter, refuses to flatter her father; she is disinherited and banished. This LibriVox recording marks the 400th anniversary of the first performance of the play, on December 26th 1606. (Summary by David Barnes)LibriVox trivia….. This entire project was completed in just a week, from conception to delivery… A LibriVox record for a major dramatic work! Cast list King Lear: Andy Minter King of France: Ezwa Duke of Burgundy, Messenger, Captain: Justin Barrett Duke of Cornwall: Cori Samuel Duke of Albany: Kristin LeMoine Earl of Kent: Denny Sayers Earl of Gloster: Julian Jamison Edgar, Son to Gloster: Simon Taylor Edmund, Bastard Son to Gloster: John Gonzalez Curan, a Courtier: Karen Savage Old Man, Tenant to Gloster: CarlManchester Physician: Scott Walter Fool: Sean McGaughey Oswald, steward to Goneril: Andrew Lebrun An Officer employed by Edmund: Henry Frigon Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia: Kara Shallenberg A Herald: Gesine First Servant: Ophelia Darcy Second Servant: Esther Third Servant, Third Knight: Kirsten Ferreri Goneril, daughter to Lear: Rosalind Wills Regan, daughter to Lear: JemmaBlythe Cordelia, daughter to Lear: Kristin Hughes Stage directions: David Barnes