Dramatization
Audio dramatizations of King Lear, including full-cast productions, radio plays, and studio-enhanced performances. These editions lean into the intensity of the story — storms, betrayal, tension — using music and sound design to bring the tragedy to life.
Runtime: 3h 08m 23s
Narrator: Trevor Peacock, Clive Merrison, a full cast, Sama…
Runtime: 2h 37m 54s
Narrator: Corin Redgrave, David Troughton, Full Cast, Geral…
Runtime: 3h 05m 49s
Narrator: Paul Scofield, Full Cast
Runtime: 3h 06m 12s
Narrator: Paul Scofield, Kenneth Branagh
Runtime: 2h 45m 59s
Narrator: a full cast
Runtime: 4h 4m
Narrator: Geoffrey Giuliano, The Arc
Novels Based On King Lear
These novels take the core of King Lear — fractured families, power struggles, loyalty, inheritance, and the slow unravelling of old authority — and rebuild it in entirely new worlds. Some stay close to the original architecture, like A Thousand Acres or We That Are Young, which move Lear’s story into contemporary political, rural, or corporate landscapes. Others re-imagine the women at the center of the tragedy, such as The Queens of Innis Lear or Learwife. You’ll also find sharp modern takes like Dunbar and comic reinterpretations like Fool. Across all of them, the emotional DNA of King Lear remains: ambition, betrayal, downfall, and the complicated bonds between parents and children.
Runtime: 14h 48m 30s
Narrator: C.J. Critt
Runtime: 7h 27m 22s
Narrator: Henry Goodman
Runtime: 8h 40m
Narrator: Euan Morton
Runtime: 11h 56m 12s
Narrator: Gerry O'Brien
Runtime: 14h 36m 29s
Narrator: Juliet Stevenson
Runtime: 8h 27m 15s
Narrator: Hannah Van Der Westhuysen
Runtime: 26h 21m 57s
Narrator: Kate Reading
Runtime: 21h 53m 39s
Narrator: Benaifer Mirza
For all novels based on Shakespearean works on this site, go
HERE.
Adaptations
A selective group of unusual or experimental approaches to King Lear. These re-shape the story in unexpected ways, offering creative angles outside standard dramatization or novelization.
Runtime: 1h 39m 54s
Narrator: Michael Morpurgo, Ben Caplan, Avita Jay, Baker Mu…
Criticism and Discussions
Analytical and commentary-driven works that explore King Lear’s themes, character psychology, performance history, and cultural impact. Ideal for listeners who want deeper insight into the play’s structure and the world behind it.
Runtime: 3h 28m
Narrator: Simon Vance
Runtime: 11h 6m
Narrator: Robert Fass
Educational
Study-focused editions of King Lear, including teaching guides, annotated explainers, and versions designed to help readers understand the text more clearly. These often include context, plain-English support, and helpful commentary.
Runtime: 10h 42m
Narrator: Joan Walker, Terrence Hardiman, Lucy Robinson
Runtime: 11h 29m
Narrator: Joan Walker, Terrence Hardiman, Lucy Robinson
For a directory of all the educational resources on this site go
HERE.
