In a play such as King Lear, where the title character is so crucial to the overall production, finding the right actor is crucial.

The Crucible hit the jackpot with Ian MacDiarmid who delivered a performance that was truly befitting of what is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. At times strong, at times weak, at times jovial, at times cruel, MacDiarmid slipped between these different character traits with ease and thoroughly looked like he was enjoying himself throughout. He was every inch the declining statesman who battles love, loyalty and betrayal.

In brief, King Lear decides to pass his lands and responsibilities to his three daughters – Regan, Goneril and Cordelia. When he tells them they must secure their inheritance by proving how much they love him, his eldest daughters make dramatic speeches. The youngest, refuses and is banished. 

Regan and Goneril’s affection soon wanes and they cast the King aside as he slips into despair only realising the error of his ways in the denoument. 

As good as MacDiarmid was, the remaining 14 cast members were equally so, each contributing their own excellence to a production that skip through its two-and-a-half hours without too much lag. The pacing was spot on and is a big credit to Titas Halder’s direction. 

Max Revell, best known for his breakdancing background, really brought the character of the Fool to life, not just in terms of his movement but in personality too. Fode Simbo was an excellent, duplicitous Edmund whilst David Birrell shone as the trying-to-please-everyone Gloucester, only to get his eyes plucked. There was squirting ‘blood’ and ‘eyeballs’ tossed aside in the slightly squeamish scene. 

The in-the-round set consisted of a circular pit surrounded by a gravel-like surface as well as a metallic background. It was stark, almost wasteland-like and perhaps echoed Lear’s crumbling empire. The pit was also filled with gravel on the second act and took on an almost gladiatorial feel as the different factions fought both literally and metaphorically.

A tragedy it may have been but this telling of King Lear was a triumph.

With the exception of Ian MacDiarmid, the cast will all return for Twelfth Night, which runs from 10-31 October and also stars Mathew Horne. 

King Lear is at the Crucible until 19 September. For tickets call 0114 249 6000 or click here.