King Lear, 1997, National Theatre, London. Photograph; Donald Cooper.

King Lear: Directed by Richard Eyre; Designed by Bob Crowley, Royal National Theatre Company, March 1997.

"Such stripping-off is in itself not sensational - though I have never seen King Lear brought down to such bare essentials. But it gives the key to Eyre's whole production. He sees King Lear not as epic drama about a world turned cruel but an intimate domestic tragedy, of family rivalries and jealousies, where polite facades conceal savage impulses. In line with this focus, his production is played on Bob Crowley's long, narrow traverse stage. The audience are ranged close on either side, and on balconies, above a terra-cotta scene frugally decorated, with a black rain-soaked wall rearing up." Nicholas De Jongh, Evening Standard, 1.4.97 Opening Date: 27 March 1997. Theatre: Cottesloe.

The spareness of set and costumes typified this minimalist production, which was designed and played as if it was scripted by Ibsen, with compelling effect. HMR