Ian McKellen RSS feed

It�s a Royal flush at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards

2009-11-23T14:39:24Z

The Royal Court turned cutting-edge drama into establishment success as it swept the board at the 55th London Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Pixie Lott parties with Sir Ian McKellen at Variety Club Awards

2009-11-16T09:14:41Z

Video: Sir Ian McKellen and Pixie Lott celebrated at the Variety Club�s ceremony at Grosvenor House.

The 12 shows you must see in London this Christmas

2009-11-11T09:59:23Z

From posh panto to burlesque, London is full of festive entertainment. Here are a dozen shows that should entice children � and adults � into the theatre.

Anna Friel bares all for Breakfast at Tiffanys

2009-09-30T06:44:14Z

Anna Friel adopted a tough new fitness routine to prepare for the rigours of playing Forties society girl Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany's.

The play's the thing, as theatres rediscover drama this autumn

2009-09-16T08:32:08Z

Londoners are being invited to make the play the thing this autumn as a cavalcade of stars prepares to tread the boards

Shameless star joins the West End theatre boom

2009-08-07T08:47:42Z

Anne-Marie Duff is to become the latest big name to take to the West End stage as theatres defy the recession

Louise Jury and Benedict Moore-Bridger

2009-08-07T08:47:42Z

Anne-Marie Duff is to become the latest big name to take to the West End stage as theatres defy the recession

Waiting for Godot was worth it

2009-05-06T23:00:00Z

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart have made Waiting for Godot, a difficult play written in 1952, a hotter ticket than any musical.

Nelson Mandela and other gay icons on show in London

2009-03-26T09:17:10Z

Will Young and Nelson Mandela will stand side by side in a new exhibition of "gay icons"

War Horse leads the charge as West End shows sell �5million tickets in advance

2009-03-17T08:48:23Z

A peculiar triumvirate of Waiting For Godot, Calendar Girls and War Horse is heading a storming start to the year in West End theatre with almost �5million in advance ticket sales

Now feel our anger: make these toxic bankers pay

2009-01-30T08:55:36Z

Every conversation about the recession I have with friends these days ends up with someone expressing not just helpless fury against the bankers who have damaged the world's financial system so much in such a short time but a vehement wish to see them made to pay for what they have done

Dame Clive hatches golden egg in Mother Goose

2008-12-15T00:00:00Z

The magnificent Clive Rowe towers above in Mother Goose; singing, dancing, ad-libbing and making the oldest jokes in the panto book gleam afresh.

McKellen to make Beckett debut at 70

2008-10-31T10:21:39Z

Sir Ian McKellen will celebrate his 70th birthday by partnering Patrick Stewart in Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot

Sir Ian McKellen returning to role of Gandalf

2008-04-30T16:46:01Z

Sir Ian McKellen has said he will reprise his role as Gandalf in the two-film adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit

Gandalf conjures up support for campaign to save the George

2008-04-24T07:41:40Z

Sir Ian McKellen is the latest famous name to join the fight to save a popular East End arts and music venue

Theatreland up in arms over Arts Council sexuality quiz

2008-04-02T08:32:25Z

The Arts Council has encountered ridicule and anger over attempts to force theatre and museum trustees to disclose their sexuality to obtain funding

Stage-struck Kristin's triumph

2008-03-10T10:18:35Z

Kristin Scott Thomas took the top award of Best Actress at the Olivier Awards and declared there was nothing like working in British theatre.

Panto needs a few jokes

2007-12-13T00:00:00Z

Following in the footsteps of the Old Vic, both Stratford East and Richmond theatres are donning crystal slippers and a ball gown for Christmas productions of Cinderella.

Look no further - for this is panto perfection

2007-12-06T00:00:00Z

It's hard to see anyone, not even Stephen Fry and his "posh panto" chums at the Old Vic, bettering Dick Whittington and His Cat at the Hackney Empire this festive season.

The man who remade the RSC

2007-12-04T13:04:46Z

Last week's triumphant openings of King Lear and The Seagull crown five years of hard-won success for artistic director Michael Boyd.

London's best pantomimes

2007-12-03T09:56:46Z

From some classic Charles Dickens to Stephen Fry's racy Old Vic production, Fiona Mountford rounds up this year's bumper crop of festive family shows.

The year of my big break

2007-11-30T12:30:56Z

Eight months on, Frances Barber talks of her struggle to overcome a devastating leg injury and her triumphant return to the West End.

King Lear fails to wrench the heart

2007-11-29T00:00:00Z

Although praise was heaped by most critics on Ian McKellen's King Lear at its Stratford premiere, Nicholas de Jongh remains unconvinced of its greatness and unmoved by its performance.

The return of the King

2007-11-20T10:27:01Z

The West End transfer of Sir Ian McKellen's debut as King Lear is already a sell-out.

Stillness captures a moving tragedy

2007-11-07T00:00:00Z

The National Portrait Gallery's Photographic Portrait Prize has thrown up some stunning images, with a winner that carries tragic weight.

Nunn's Lear arrives, but is hardly worth the wait

2007-05-31T23:00:00Z

Ian McKellen's performance as King Lear in Trevor Nunn's gaudy production keeps you on the edge of your seat but is rarely moving, says Nicholas de Jongh.

King Lear comes to London

2007-05-30T15:07:21Z

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear starring Sir Ian McKellen is to transfer to London this autumn.

Sher puts portraits of stage stars on display

2007-02-12T11:55:30Z

Sir Anthony Sher is one of the greatest living Shakespearean actors, a leading stage director and prolific author but his collection of portraits are less well known. Until now.

Ravenhill's D**k is panto hit

2006-12-06T00:00:00Z

Not an obvious panto man, Shopping and F**king author Mark Ravenhill has come up with a sweet and slick Dick Whittington, says Fiona Mountford.

Best weekend comedy shows

2006-10-12T15:42:36Z

A 24-carat line-up takes to the stage for The Secret Policeman's Ball, the if.comeddies awards season continues and comedy package tour Edinburgh & Beyond has quality running through it.