I did King Lear last year, and just READING the play isnt enough!!!
I'm assuming that the syllabus is the same as last year, and that you have to compare different productions, so I would DEFINATELY recommend that rather than just gathering notes about productions off the net, to watch a screen production, or even better, see a live performance (even if your school wont organise it...go on your own!), because thats were I got most of my understanding from. From actually seeing it PERFORMED! Before that I had absolutely NO idea!!!! Also by actully seeing performances, you get a first hand look at the techniques that different directors use, etc, which is a very important component of your essays!