Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU

“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.”

''I was last on stage in Wakefield 30 years ago with a previous solo show 'Acting Shakespeare'. I’m now celebrating my 80th birthday with more Shakespeare and it’s good to be back. All profits support Theatre Royal Wakefield's Performance Academy, encouraging local youngsters to participate in the arts. Good to be back.”