It opens with a deep black-walled stage devoid of props, but for a spotlit microphone. Instead of the feared cast change or sponsorial fealty, on walks Marilyn Monroe at Madison Square Garden, with her sequined dress and curvaceous glamour. We recognise Robyn Nevin, defying the years. Funny as Blossom Dearie, she sings 'Happy Birthday' to 'Nuncle Majesty' before yanking off her wig and yielding the stage to Lear and his clamorous court, the men in dinner suits, Goneril and Regan flamboyantly gowned as if for a charity ball. Urged on by their importunate father, the sisters take it in turns to express their devotion and thus claim a share of Lear's kingdom.

Then it is the turn of Cordelia – youngest of the three sisters – whose disinclination to flaunt her filial affection has already been expressed sotto voce ('Love, and be silent'). Refusing to speak she returns to her place. Finally, asked what she has to say to win an opulent share, she says, 'Nothing', twice.