Joss Ackland stars in King Lear reading, directed by Jonathan Miller

Veteran actor Joss Ackland is set to take the lead in a rehearsed reading of King Lear, which will have two performances later this month at St James Theatre and the Old Vic respectively.

Running on 22 September at the St James, and 29 September at the Old Vic, the performances will be directed by Jonathan Miller, with proceeds going to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Aiming to “bring together three generations of actors”, Ackland has assembled a cast including Tony Britton, Greta Scacchi, Tony Robinson, Michael York, John Nettles, Barrie Rutter, Honeysuckle Weeks and Shaun Dooley.

Ackland will be the first Lear at the newly opened St James Theatre before returning to the Old Vic, over 60 years after joining The Old Vic Company.