The audience around the thrust stage of Trevor Nunn's Ruritania-inspired production could expect to get rained on during this loud and stormy production.
Ian McKellen balanced Lear's contradictions, playing Lear as a kind father, violent master and vulnerable old man, and he infamously appeared naked during Lear's madness.
The action took place against a tumble-down theatre auditorium with rich velvet drapes matching the ornate scarlet military uniforms of the players.
In a twist on the text, the Fool (Sylvester McCoy) was hanged on-stage.
This production was filmed at Pinewood Studios in 2008, broadcast by the BBC and is available on DVD.
Read more about this production in the following articles:
Reviews roundup: King Lear
Chris Wiegand, Guardian, 1 June 2007
Review: Sir Ian acts up a storm as Nunn plays the fool
Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph, 1 June 2007
Review: King Lear
Michael Billington, Guardian, 1 June 2007
Review Round-up: Critics hail McKellen's King Lear
Tom Atkins, The Stage, 30 November 2007
Article: So Ian McKellen drops his trousers...
Germaine Green, Guardian, 7 May 2007
Photo by Manuel Harlan shows King Lear (Ian McKellan) © RSC