One of the country's most respected companies, Bristol-based Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (SATTF) return with a highly-anticipated production of Shakespeare's King Lear.

The company's national reputation was established by its very first season of King Lear, and they started bringing a new production of this epic masterpiece to a much wider audience last night.

Starring in the title role of King Lear, one of the pinnacles of world drama, is the inimitable John Shrapnel.

John is a fiercely intelligent and commanding actor with a long and enviable track record in both theatre and film.

The acclaimed star boasts a huge raft of work with The National Theatre from Olivier's days to Hytner's. He has also appeared in some of the highest profile films of recent years, including Gladiator, Notting Hill and The Duchess, as well as featuring in television series such as Inspector Morse, Waking the Dead, New Tricks and Midsomer Murders.

When I catch up with John during the final stages of rehearsals before tonight's opening night, he recalls his last visit to Bristol three decades ago.

"It was more years ago than I care to remember," he says in his rich, deep timbre. "Last time I was actually working with SATTF's director Andrew Hilton on an all-male production of Timon of Athens back when he was an actor.

"The cast also included the fabulous Pete Postlethwaite, with whom I performed Lear two years ago. Pete was Lear and I played Gloucester."

Andrew Hilton's commanding productions of Shakespeare have been lauded by audiences and critics throughout the UK, and the company's Bristol season, performed in the intimate in-the-round space of the Tobacco Factory, is always a highlight in the city's theatre calendar.

"Of course, I had heard wonderful stuff about the company and was delighted to get involved," says John.

"When Andrew got in touch about playing Lear, I had to do it because it was the perfect way of finding out about the company and the Tobacco Factory, a great way of meeting up with Andrew again, and, of course, a wonderful part to play."

Shakespeare's Lear sees the title character descend into madness after foolishly depriving his only loving daughter of her heritage in order to leave all to her hypocritical and vicious sisters, bringing tragic consequences for all.

Regarded as one of Shakespeare's supreme achievements, the tragedy is particularly noted for its probing observations on what it is – and is not – to be human. You can't help but be in huge awe at the size of the play and the people who have played Lear before you," John admits.

Indeed, Lear has contemporary relevance at a time when autocratic regimes around the world are under unprecedented threat.

While Hamlet is the sought-after part for a young actor, Lear is considered the pinnacle of one's career.

"You're being offered Lear because you are too old to play Hamlet!" laughs John. "That means that you have a lot of life experience, which you need to bring to this. That feeling of mortality, if not just around the corner, is at least on the horizon."

It's something of a coup for SATTF and for Bristol to have an actor of John's calibre playing Lear. But John insists the lure of the prestigious company, the iconic role and to be performing in the theatre was an irresistible combination.