Ian McKellen, Taylor Russell and full cast of Lear at the Yard Theatre – rehearsal photos released

The Yard Theatre has released a look inside the rehearsal room of a new reimagining of King Lear.

Ian McKellen is set to return to the stage as part of the venue’s inaugural season in its rebuilt Hackney Wick home.

The production, titled Lear, has been reimagined by playwright Simon Stephens and the Yard’s artistic director Jay Miller. It forms part of the theatre’s first programme in its newly redeveloped venue, which opens this summer following the demolition and reconstruction of the original Yard Theatre building.

McKellen last performed King Lear on stage in 2017 at Chichester Festival Theatre, in a production that later transferred to the West End and New York. He has previously collaborated with Stephens on An Ark, a virtual theatre experiment. Stephens’ recent theatre credits include Vanya, The Seagull, A Doll’s House and Heisenberg, while Miller has led the Yard since its founding in 2011.

Set to appear alongside McKellen is WhatsOnStage Award nominee Taylor Russell as Cordelia. They’ll be joined by Lear’s Knights, played by dancers and movement artists, Kanako Nakano, Bobi Coates, Leo Udvarlaky and Camille Ifé Pettiford, with choreography from Malik Nashad Sharpe.

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The creative team includes set and costume designer Stewart Laing, sound designer Josh Anio Grigg, lighting designer Zerlina Hughes, video designer Sarah Readman, choreographer Malik Nashad Sharpe, assistant director Sophia Golan, casting director Heather Basten, costume supervisor Florence McGlynn, costume assistant Islay Sage, lighting programmer Efa Jane, prop maker Charlie Stoddart, set builders Offcut Scenery, production carpenter Ed Dennis, tailoring by Academy Costumes, production manager Nick Flintoff, cover production manager Titch Gosling, company stage manager Kim Battistini and deputy stage manager Rhea Cosford.

The new venue, designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects, more than doubles the size of the original theatre and includes a 220-seat auditorium, new artist development spaces and expanded backstage facilities.

Lear is scheduled to run from 17 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, with a press night on 1 December.