A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

Ring worn by Ian McKellen

Director: Trevor Nunn

Designer: Christopher Oram

Ian McKellen had not appeared on stage for the RSC since 1989 when he played Iago in Othello. The eagerly awaited press night was delayed when Frances Barber (Goneril) suffered a knee injury. This was similar to what happened to Paul Scofield's performance of the same character in 1962. Scofield had not performed in Stratford since the 1940s and a period of ill-health delayed the press night.

Tickets for King Lear sold out very fast and the play was praised by critics and audiences. One of the many memorable aspects was the set which visibly rotted and decayed as Lear descended into madness.