As part of a national tour to celebrate his 80th birthday, Sir Ian McKellen is bringing his one-man show to Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre in 2019.
The Everyman Theatre is one of 80 venues on the tour and will mark the actor’s debut at the Cheltenham theatre, when he takes to the stage on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 May 2019.
During the first half of Sir Ian McKellen’s performance in Cheltenham, audiences can enjoy his acting in character as Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, alongside personal anecdotes, a handful of poems and even a potential opportunity to act with him on stage.
The second half is focused solely on Shakespeare, where the world-famous thespian, with the help of the audience, lists all 37 plays, including speeches from those in which Ian has performed.
Sir Ian McKellen said: ‘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’m glad to be making my debut at the renowned Everyman Theatre in support of the Education and Community Department. See you there, I hope!’
The Everyman Theatre will directly benefit from the performances, as proceeds from both nights will provide bursaries for young people in Gloucestershire, giving them access youth theatre.
