Sir Ian McKellan bringing his tour to Derry
The renowned actor will take his On Stage show – a collection of anecdotes and acting from across his career next year.
He will appear in Ballymena and Newtownabbey.
The Lord of the Rings star spoke of his excitement at returning to Northern Ireland having received an honorary doctorate.
Sir Ian, who once starred in Coronation Street, said: “This will be my acting debut in Derry as part of the UK tour of my new solo show.
“I was last here for an honorary doctorate at the University of Ulster in 2013.
“During my Chancellor’s lecture, I promised to return soon so here I am with Gandalf, King Lear and others – and a chance for you to act with me onstage.”
Sir Ian, who was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, said watching regional theatre had given him his first taste of the stage.
He added that he saw no reason why some parts of the country should remain under-served while larger cities and London receive the best productions.
He said: “If I had had to have been dependent, when I was a boy, simply on a lot of wonderful theatre in London I would never have seen any theatre at all.
“I’ve never understood why if you live in Lancaster you shouldn’t have access to the best theatre going.
“I think it’s a pity if theatre becomes only something you do on high days and holidays, and spend a fortune seeing the long-running musical.
“If that’s all the theatre-going you do then you are missing out. The more theatre there is up and down the country, on tour or locally, the happier people will be.
“The best way an actor can support regional theatre is by going to work in it.”
You can catch Sir Ian’s show at the Riverside Theatre, Derry on July 27, 2019.
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