A FREE showing of the critically acclaimed King Lear: The Film starring Don Warrington, of Death in Paradise and Rising Damp fame, can be seen at Birmingham MAC in celebration of Black History Month.

The production is a stage to screen film of Michael Buffong’s theatre masterpiece of King Lear, captured during its run at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre.

The Shakespearian classic is a brutal portrait of a man unravelling - pitted against his daughters, nature and the universe.

In an ancient Britain bound by loyalty to the clan and the power of the sword, King Lear decides to give up his crown. As he divides the kingdom between his daughters, family ties disintegrate, order disappears and the land slides into chaos.

The casting of King Lear’s family with black actors aims to remind the audience that the presence and influence of black people is potentially undocumented in our ancient history.

The screening is on Friday October 21 at noon.