Mark Stobbs is director of the Bar Standards Board.
King Lear at Stratford was one of the most hyped events of the spring – particularly with its opening night postponed when Frances Barber sprained her ankle. The press were a bit muted about it but I thought it was a very good, clear evening indeed. Ian McKellen was, as you would expect, a very fine Lear indeed – you don’t get ‘definitive’ readings of the role, but his is a must-see. The rest of the cast are good but not great, but it’s a very clear, intelligent production, well worth catching when it comes to London, as it surely will.
