Glenda Jackson to play King Lear on BBC Radio 4

Glenda Jackson is to reprise her critically acclaimed turn as King Lear on BBC Radio 4.

As part of the station's Christmas highlights, Jackson will star in a new radio dramatisation of Deborah Warner's production, directed by Susan Roberts and Pauline Harris.

Jackson said: "This is a very exciting prospect for us all. It will be very interesting to see how the play transfers from stage to microphone [and radio]. I look forward to it."

King Lear will air on Boxing Day this year at 2.15, 400 years after the piece was performed for King James I and his court on Boxing Day in 1606.

Jackson will be joined by fellow cast mates including Celia Imrie as Goneril, Jane Horrocks as Regan, Harry Melling as Edgar and Rhys Ifans as the Fool.

Jackson garnered rave reviews of her interpretation of Shakespeare's king, after the show opened earlier this month.

Other BBC offerings including a dramatisation of Neil Gaiman's Stardust, with cameos from Gaiman himself and singer Tori Amos. It was also announced that Carey Mulligan, Helen Morrissey and Dame Sally Davies would be guest editing Radio 4's Today programme.

King Lear runs at the Old Vic until 3 December.