KING Lear has been interpreted in many different ways from Shakespeare’s original texts over the years.

But Northern Broadsides lively production of the seemingly tragic tale sees the play stripped back and presented with a simplicity that lets its superb cast stand out.

A bare set is brought to life by energetic performances, elaborate, traditional costumes and sparse lighting that reflects the gloom of Lear’s downfall.

In the search for a quiet retirement, Lear splits his kingdom into three and gifts each part to one of his three daughters and their husbands.

But when his youngest and favourite Cordelia, played by Catherine Kinsella, refuses a request to declare her love for the King to the court — which her sisters so merrily obeyed — she is banished to become the Queen of France.

Lear is left to live with his eldest two children, Goneril (Helen Sheals) and Regan (Nicola Sanderson) and their husbands the dukes of Cornwall (Andy Cryer) and Albany (John Gully) but when they betray him and their declarations of love are proved false, Lear is left with nothing but his slow descent into madness.

The passionate and commanding presence of Barrie Rutter’s Lear gives way to meek and mindless man who is left with nowhere to turn, wandering a stormy night.

The intimate setting of the Lowry’s Quay Theatre allows the audience to be enveloped in the tragedy and see as every drop of blood falls and every tear is spilt.

But despite the gloom of a play that features Shakespeare’s least funny Fool (Fine Time Fortayne), the play is often interjected with humour which lifts the audience before plunging it back into near despair.

Rutter, fed up of struggling to land roles in Shakespeare productions because of his Yorkshire accent, set up Northern Broadsides and he remains the company's artistic director.

The play was only bolstered by the regional accent of the cast which included actors from Manchester, Lytham St. Annes near Blackpool and Wigan.