ABSTRACT
One must begin at the beginning, and the beginning, here, is the end of the Stratford season in 1962. Mr. Paul Scofield, who was due to play Lear for Mr. Peter Brook, was ordered a two months’ rest by his doctor, and the production was postponed from the early until the late autumn. Shortly afterwards it was brought to London and was played in repertory at the Aldwych until the end of April 1963. No recent production of Shakespeare has had an equivalent success; every seat was sold before the opening night. The sweeping, symphonic rhythm of the play had been so syncopated in the Stratford production that when Mr. Scofield arrived at his great climactic moments, these were less overwhelming than they should have been. In the later scenes, where there is no excuse for hurry, he had the time to make his effects—and very impressive and original they were.
