LONDON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Members of London's Royal Shakespeare Company have named 82-year-old actor Paul Scofield as giving the best performance in a play by Shakespeare.
The Sunday Telegraph reported the thespians selected Scofield's depiction of "King Lear" in a 1962 production at Stratford -- later made into a successful film, -- as the best Shakespearean portrayal.
British Shakespearean actors participating in the poll included: Ian McKellen, Donald Sinden, Janet Suzman, Ian Richardson, Antony Sher and Corin Redgrave.
"Playing Lear was a tremendous challenge and I was extremely apprehensive about taking on the role," Scofield said. "However, he is an immensely inspiring character and I had utter faith and trust in Peter Brook as my director."
Scofield later won an Oscar for his role as Sir Thomas More in the 1966 film, "A Man for All Seasons."
Judi Dench took second place in the poll for her role as Lady Macbeth in the 1976 production of "Macbeth."
