Select a region
Sir Ian McKellen is to return to Jersey’s Opera House for the first time in three decades to raise money to revamp the theatre’s dressing rooms in his 80th birthday year.
The Opera House has today announced that the actor best known for his role as Gandalf will be treating islanders to a solo show entitled ‘Tolkien, Shakespeare, others… and you!’ on 3 and 4 May next year.
The performance is one of many that will take place on 80 stages – each marking a year of the Tony and Olivier award winner’s life – across the UK.
Sir Ian said that he has a personal connection to every playhouse selected to host his show of anecdote and acting.
Video: Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.
Tickets will be “accessibly priced”, with all profits going towards specific causes at each theatre – in Jersey’s case, bettering the Opera House’s backstage zone.
“I was last at the Opera House with “Acting Shakespeare” 30 years ago, [and] I’m delighted to be back. All profits will contribute to the renovation of the dressing rooms and green room,” Sir Ian commented.
Explaining what audience members can expect from the performance, he added: “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.”
Sir Ian’s career has been one of great variety. After graduating from Cambridge in the 1960s, he went on to produce and star in stage plays with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and West End.
Video: A Q&A with Sir Ian McKellen.
On film, he has embodied the formidable Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Magneto in the X-Men films and a number of kingly Shakespearean characters, while TV has seen him dabble in everything from Coronation Street to Ricky Gervais’ Extras.
In 1991, he was knighted for his services to theatre, which have included championing diversity. Outside the theatrical sphere, he is equally dedicated to campaigning for equality.
Jersey Opera House’s Theatre Director Jasmine Hendry said she was “delighted” to welcome the veteran performer to the island again.
“It is wonderful that he still has fond memories of his visit to Jersey and has included us on his 80 Stages tour. The fact that our venue will also benefit from Sir Ian’s generosity on his 80th birthday means that all of our local and visiting performers will be able to enjoy his hospitality through the renovation of the dressing rooms and the green room.”
Anyone keen to get their hands on a ticket will have to "fly, you fools!" to the Opera House website or box office on Monday.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.