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STAGE VETERAN: Don Warrington

VETERAN ACTOR Don Warrington will take on one of Shakespeare's most infamous characters in a new version of King Lear.

Returning to the stage where they collaborated on the ground-breaking All My Sons, critically acclaimed team, actor Warrington and artistic director Michael Buffong take on Shakespeare’s classic drama in which families tear each other apart.

Warrington, who will star as the title character, King Lear, will be joined on stage with former Harry Potter and How to Get Away with Murder actor Alfred Enoch.

A co-production with Talawa Theatre Company and in association with Birmingham Repertory Company, King Lear is a brutal portrait of a man unravelling - pitted against his daughters, against nature and against the universe itself.

In an ancient Britain bound by loyalty to the clan and the power of the sword, King Lear decides to give up his crown. As he divides the kingdom between his daughters, family ties disintegrate, order disappears and the land slides into chaos.

Trinidadian-born British actor, Warrington, said of taking on the role of Lear: "It’s huge and it’s like looking at Mount Everest and thinking, I’m going to try and climb that. You’re trying to convey the essence of a human being and Shakespeare has caught it, you realise he’s caught it as you read it and that’s why King Lear is huge. Most things are aspects of a person… this is all of a person."

King Lear is presented as part of the celebrations for Talawa’s 30th anniversary year.

The award-winning star, who was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours, had a long standing relationship with Talawa Theatre Company both on and off the stage.

Talawa artistic director, Buffong said: “As a director it’s always a privilege to work with great actors like Don. To have him joined by such a wonderful company puts us well on the way towards realising the vision I have for this King Lear. It’s going to be epic, exciting and passionate.”

Talawa Theatre Company is the UK's primary black-led theatre company. Headed up by Artistic Director Michael Buffong, Talawa’s work is informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience. For 30 years Talawa has created outstanding work by cultivating the best in emerging and established Black artists, investing in talent, developing audiences and inspiring dialogue with and within communities across the UK and internationally to enrich the cultural life of all.