King Lear review from 2007

Genre: Drama
Opened 28 Nov 2007
Written: William Shakespeare
Directed: Trevor Nunn
Produced: Royal Shakespeare Company
Cast: Ian Mckellen (King Lear ), Ben Addis (King Of France),Frances Barber (Goneril)
Synopsis: Lear, King of Britain, decides to abdicate and divide his kingdom between his three daughters. When Cordelia refuses to make a public declaration of love for her father she is disinherited and married to the King of France without a dowry. The Earl of Kent is banished by Lear for daring to defend her. The two elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, and their husbands inherit the kingdom.

What the popular press had to say.....
NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "[Ian McKellen's] Lear proves no more profound or adventurous than a jovial, charity jog." SARAH HEMMING for THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, "It is a production distinguished by energetic intelligence and lucidity: Nunn brings out the symmetries and ironies in the play." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Trevor Nunn's extraordinarily lucid King Lear...Ian McKellen's mesmerising performance...this is a fine production that proves McKellen is every inch a Lear." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Ian McKellen charts every stage of Lear's terrible journey with clarity and intelligence...Impressive...But, in the final analysis...just miss true greatness." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "A superlative performance from McKellen."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Times
Financial Times
Daily Telegragh

Production photo by Manuel Harlan