Ian McKellen on Stage with Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and You

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Theatre Royal, Brighton, until Friday

CELEBRATING his 80th birthday, Sir Ian is taking his solo show to 80 stages across the UK, visiting theatres that played an important role in his career and raising funds for those theatres.

Mass cinematic fame has come through his role of Gandalf, Tolkien’s wizard in Lord of the Rings, but in this performance McKellen provides magic of his own – pure theatrical magic.

On a stage, bare except for a large touring trunk from which he pulls out his props, he talks of his professional career and is very frank about his personal life.

He spellbinds as the many facets of his talents are displayed - serious actor, raconteur and comedian with more than a touch of theatrics, including a reprise of his Widow Twankey.

He involves the audience throughout and there is a telling moment when he asks if this is their first visit to the Theatre Royal.

A very large number of hands went up.

In the second act he asks for names of Shakespeare’s plays to be called out and he works his way through the complete cannon with either a hilarious anecdote or a speech.

He is wicked with his mimicry of other actors but above all he takes time to poke fun at himself.

The incredible standing ovation made the awarding of five stars seem totally inadequate.

Barrie Jerram