King Lear, Renaissance Theatre Company, Dominion Theatre, August 1990.

Kenneth Branagh, director;Jenny Tiramani, designer; Richard Briers as Lear; Ethna Roddy as Cordelia.

"Lear's Britain is illuminated by sconced torches. The curved metallic wall is punctured by hexagonal openings of assorted sizes and a high, round opening: a stylised planetarium, the unyielding firmament, malign stars and baleful moon. The gravelly pebbles that cover the floor...At the beginning of 'Lear' they outline the shape of Britain so that attendants can scoop partitions through the triply divided kingdom, Lear can scrabble furiously through Cordelia's portion, and subsequent violence can scatter and grind the island map into chaos under foot." Martin Hoyle, Financial Times 11.8.90. Donald Cooper: photographer: courtesy of ahds.rhul.ac.uk; Designing Shakespeare Collection.