Sinead Cusack Joins Ian Mckellen in KING LEAR at The Chichester Festival

The Daily Mail has reported that Sinead Cusack is set to star alongside Sir Ian McKellen an upcoming production of Shakespeare's King Lear. Cusack will portray Lear's loyal courtier Kent. The Mail describes her approach as playing the Earl as "an Angela Merkel-esque, straight-talking woman."

Director Jonathan Munby casted the actress stating that 'there aren't enough female roles in the classical repertoire' and felt that gender should not play a part in casting this particular role.

'It struck me that Kent could be a high-ranking female politician, like Angela Merkel - or Mo Mowlam,' he noted.

The production is set to run at the Minerva Theatre as part of the Chichester Festival Theatre beginning September 22.

Goneril, Regan and Cordelia are set to be played by Dervla Kirwan, Kirsty Bushell and Tamara Lawrance, with Danny Webb is Gloucester, Phil Daniels as the Fool, and Jonathan Bailey and Damien Molony as Edgar and Edmund, respectively. PatRick Robinson will play Cornwall, Dominic Mafham will take on Albany. and Caleb Roberts will play the King of France.

Artistic director Daniel Evans has also expressed interest in filming the production. "I'd love to do a live broadcast, to show in cinemas,' he said. Or failing that, shoot it for video or online." he notes.