The character of Autolycus is vibrantly projected by Phil Daniels as a magnetic musician and rapper who looks like Keith Richards on a particularly wizened morning. Of course, there are peculiarities in the updating. And there are deficiencies which may right themselves. The young lovers are wooden principal boy and girl figures. But there are no imperfections in the wonderful last scene - in which the statue of Hermione comes to life.
Reconciliation is enclosed by sadness.
Barry Kyle's production of King Lear , which opens the Globe's season, proves once again the power of this theatre. The production itself is clear but not distinguished. As Goneril and Regan, Patricia Kerrigan and Felicity Dean overdo the wildcat clawing and bosom-heaving. John McEnery's Fool comes on like George Formby. Nevertheless, the play transmits to an audience that has often been derided for boisterousness and inattention.