This edition of King Lear was published to accompany its performance at the Princess’s Theatre in Oxford Street, a production which opened on 17 April 1858, with Kean in the title role. The production was one in a series by Kean that aimed for authenticity of costume, setting and music, and the accompanying publication of the play included historical and explanatory notes to emphasise the didactic purposes of the production. He also restored the original tragic conclusion as written by Shakespeare, rather than using the version with a happy ending, which had originated with Nahum Tate in 1681, and continued by David Garrick and George Colman. Queen Victoria went with her family on 19 April and wrote afterwards in her journal:

‘We dined early & went to Princess's to see Shakespeare's painful play of "King Lear" which was put on the stage in the best style, & extremely well acted. Scenery, costumes, music, were all in harmony & very fine.’