William Chong

Was the hype and sold-out tickets worth it? Was it fun to watch Ian McKellen in such fine form? Shakespeare’s coming-of-old-age tale (a bildungsr-oldman, if you will) was compellingly and very efficiently portrayed.  Quick and relentless scene changes juxtaposed with the portrayal of a frail king in decline made for enthralling theatre.

A full house also appreciated the excellent performances of Edmund and Edgar, played by Philip Winchester and Ben Meyjes – no one seeming more manipulative than Winchester’s bastard-son character.  Whilst not quite stealing the thunder and lightning from Lear’s storm scene transformation, RSC freshman William Gaunt playing the Earl of Gloucester delivered much kinship and sympathy (no one’s eyes have been theatrically gouged out so well).

Sylvester McCoy as Lear’s Fool provided plenty of giggles, with multiple talents ranging from playing the spoons to singing his pentameter to just having a good guffaw onstage!  One had to wonder how he managed to stay noosed through the interval for so long, following his hanging.

The three sisters were played out most effectively, from the schemings of Goneril and Regan (Frances Barber and Monica Dolan) to the compassionate warmth of Romola Garai’s portrayal of banished daughter Cordelia.

On the whole an outstanding performance.

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