Sir Ian McKellen is ‘at last making my acting debut in York’

A Shakespearean colossus, the wisest wizard and a mutant supervillain are coming to York.

In the form, that is, of legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen, who will bring his solo show to the Grand Opera House next June.

The man who has won almost every acting award going, with roles as diverse as Richard III, Gandalf in Lord of the Rings and Magneto in The X-Men, turns 80 in May.

Sir Ian says: “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.”

Repaying a debt

The tour begins at his local arts centre at the Isle Of Dogs in January, and finishes in August at Orkney Theatre.

Sir Ian says:

• 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 National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Prospect Theatre, the Actors’ Company, as well as with commercial productions.

  I’m at last making my acting debut in York as part of my 80th birthday tour.