King Lear

Habib Naghmouchin, the acclaimed French director, brings two civilisations into dialogue through his King Lear, using the timeless forces of power, family, inheritance and the sacred.

In contemporary India, where ancient traditions meet a rapidly changing world, Habib’s King Lear questions power and transmission. What do we pass on when we pass on land, name and legacy? What remains when the bonds we believe to be unbreakable begin to fall apart? What happens when women are given authority and inherit?

India becomes a place through which Shakespeare can be seen anew, through its own histories, family structures, relationships to ageing, lineage and power.

Why Shakespeare’s King Lear in India?

To stage Shakespeare in India is to bring two civilisations into dialogue through the timeless forces of power, family, inheritance and the sacred.

In contemporary India, where ancient traditions meet a rapidly changing world, King Lear becomes a powerful story of power and transmission. What do we pass on when we pass on power, land, name and legacy? What remains when the bonds we believe to be unbreakable begin to fall apart? What happens when women are given authority and inherit?

India becomes a place through which Shakespeare can be seen anew, through its own histories, family structures, relationships to power, ageing, lineage and the sacred.