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Ian McKellen on Stage

@ Theatre Royal Newcastle

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A message from Ian McKellen:

I’m celebrating my 80th birthday by touring a new solo show to theatres I know well and a few that I don’t. The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. In-between there will be anecdotes and acting. I open at my local arts centre in January and end up by August in Orkney.

Live theatre has always been thrilling to me, as an actor and in the audience. Growing up in Lancashire, I was grateful to those companies who toured beyond London and I’ve always enjoyed repaying that debt by touring up and down the country myself, with the RSC, the National Theatre, Prospect Theatre, the Actors’ Company, as well as with commercial productions.

My first time at the Theatre Royal was 50 years ago as Richard II which I’ll reprise during my new solo show. I wanted to return not just because I have family in the area but because I have so many happy memories of playing in Grey Street. All profits will support the Theatre Royal’s work with young people from Newcastle and the North East. See you there, I hope!

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