Yes, last night was an auspicious occasion.  I went and saw the RSC’s King Lear, starring Sir Ian, and directed by Trevor Nunn. I went along with my fellow Shakespearean nerds, Ben, Dave, Rob and Derek.  Actually, they knew far more about the old Bard and his work than I ever will, which made it all the more fun.

It was quite fantastic.  I like King Lear the play and I thought Sir Ian did a very good job at conveying the King’s madness.  He goes a bit chewing the scenery from time to time – but in the second half he really nails it.  Especially the later scenes with Cordellia.

The stand-out performer though is once Doctor Who actor… William Gaunt.  You’ll remember him as Orcini from Revelation of the Daleks.  He is superb in Lear as Duke Gloucster.  He steals every scene he’s in, including those with Mad Sir Ian.

Sylvester McCoy is… OK.  He’s a bit Season 24 Doctor in his role as the fool.  It’s not that he’s over the top or anything, it’s just that the clever wordplay is lost in his rambling and babblings.  However, there are moments when he really nails the scene, showing what a good fool he could have been.

The guy playing Edmond was great.  And the two sisters were utter evil.

It goes for three and a half hours, and it was worth every penny that I spent on the expensive tickets.

I can now say that I’ve seen more of Sir Ian than I’ve ever wanted to see.  And that he has a nice, firm bum.

Edit To Add:  Everytime Sylv plays the spoons – which he does quite often – I expected Kate O’Mara to run on stage, badly dressed as Mel.  The geekometer knows no shame.

And,

both Dave and I could imagine all the JNT haters and Sylv detractors giving a standing ovation at the end of Part One when Sylv is hung on stage.  Cruel.  But true.  Actually, it was a sad and shocking moment.