Donald
Wolfit (1902-1968) was a powerful if volatile talent, who provided the basis
for the imperious Sir in the Ronald Harwood play The Dresser. Opinions of his abilities were mixed; he was savaged by critics on his only American tour in 1947 but he was highly esteemed in his own country and knighted in 1957. Wolfit gave
landmark performances as Tamburlaine, Oedipus, and Volpone; but his life's work
was presenting Shakespeare, achieving notoriety at Stratford and then touring
nonstop with his own company beginning in 1937. He played most of the great
Shakespearean roles and was memorable as Richard III, Othello and Hamlet, but
by far his greatest role was King Lear, which held the central place in his
repertoire for over ten years. The legendary critic James Agate said "Mr.
Wolfit had and was all the things we demand, and created the impression Lear
calls for. I will deliberately say that his performance on Wednesday was the
greatest piece of Shakespearean acting I have seen since I have been privileged
to write for the Sunday Times."
Wolfit was known for his jealousy and temper (he had a life-long feud with John Gielgud, whom he referred to as "The Enemy," and refused to return to New York as Tamburlaine in 1957 because of a row with director Tyrone Guthrie even though the appearance would have certainly redeemed his reputation with Broadway critics). He was set to play Falstaff at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1962 but withdrew when he learned that Paul Scofield would be playing Lear there at the same time, fuming "Lear is still the brightest jewel in my crown!"