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Ian McKellen is known to Gen Z as Gandalf, Millennials as Magneto, Generation X as Richard III and Baby Boomers as Macbeth! Theatre lovers and cinephiles across all ages have known the work and career of Sir Ian McKellen. Legendary, iconic, and memorable are just some of the adjectives used to describe Ian, who has been conferred with as many awards and commendations! Watch Ian live as he takes to the stage once again, but this time narrating his own story and doing it for a great cause. The show, celebrating his 80th Birthday, will be performed at over 80 theatres and whose proceeds will go the theatre charities. Come and join Ian McKellen in this brilliant cause and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience!
About the Show
Ian McKellen On Stage with Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and You offers an evening with one of contemporary theatre’s all-time greats! The show is a celebration of Ian McKellen’s 80th Birthday and is an effort to fundraise for theatres, where the proceeds of the shows go towards the development of the theatres. Ian McKellen will be performing at 80 plus theatres across the UK. The show is a monologue by Ian McKellen but studded with interesting audience interactions as they further his narration. Ian weaves through his significant career spanning over six decades across roles which were popular like Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series and Magneto in the X-Men series, as well as obscure roles in Shakespearean plays early in his career.
Ian McKellen On Stage is a perfect opportunity for those who love Ian’s work and provides great insight into how the world of theatre has transformed over the years. It is ideal for igniting the passion of theatre and acting in youngsters and amateurs in addition to reminding the diehard fans about what has always been great about the theatre world! Don’t miss watching Ian McKellen live on stage at the Harold Pinter Theatre at West End for a limited season!
The Story
The show presents itself in the form of a monologue by Sir Ian McKellen celebrating his 80th Birthday and revisiting his career and life. Officially known as Sir Ian Murray McKellen, he is an acting stalwart who has had an illustrious career across theatre, movies, and music. Appointed the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, he has also accumulated several awards including six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
The first half of the show starts with Ian regaling his experience as Gandalf in the Lord of The Rings movies, which made him an international celebrity. He then follows up with his experiences of starting in local theatre and performing with his sister Jane. He narrates stories stretching over 60 years of his career and speaks of the mentors, teachers, colleagues, and characters that he’d come across. He also elaborates on his LGBTQ activism, equality, and the need to stay alert and not be complacent.
The second half is the most riveting as it is dedicated to Shakespeare, whose plays have been an important part of Ian McKellen’s career. He starts off with Jaque’s ‘All The World’s A Stage’ speech and then involves the audience in recollecting all the plays. Watch Ian McKellen live on stage to reignite your love for the theatre and acting!
Practical Info
Show Details
Show Timings
Mon - Sat - 7:30 PM
Sun - 3:00 PM
The show runs from the 20th of September, 2019 until the 5th of January, 2020. The dates of the performance vary, so please check the show calendar to see the exact dates and timings.
Duration
2 hours 25 minutes, including interval
Leading Roles
Ian McKellen as Himself
Directed by
Sean Mathias
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Audience
Suitable for ages 14 and up.
Available Facilities
In-house bar
Coat check
Wheelchair accessible
Seating
The Harold Pinter Theatre has a seating capacity of 785.
Outside Food
Strictly prohibited. If you'd like to grab a meal before or after the show, check out our guide to the 30 Best Restaurants in West End.
Ian McKellen On Stage London Tickets
Looking for discounts on Ian McKellen London tickets?
Have a look at the real-time seat availability and prices of different sections for Ian McKellen On Stage London. In the interactive seat-map, select the date that you would like to watch the show and check out the seats available for that day. You can filter the seats as per your desired price range and purchase tickets directly.
Ian McKellen On Stage - Harold Pinter Theatre Ticket Prices
Stalls: £54 - £119.4
Dress Circle: £54 - £119.4
Royal Circle: from £54
Balcony: from £30
Performance
Critic Reviews
“A chance to marvel at a theatrical great.”
– The Telegraph
“Shakespeare, wizards and panto dames all play their part in an evening of autobiography that is a love letter to theatre.”
– The Guardian
Ian McKellen On Stage London Lottery, TKTS, Day Seats
Apart from getting tickets for Ian McKellen On Stage online, there are other ways to obtain West End tickets for cheap, such as:
TKTS: The TKTS booth obtains its inventory directly from the theatre based on availability, and sells them for cheap. Refer to our detailed guide.
Ian McKellen On Stage London TKTS
LOTTERY: The winner takes it all! You can try your luck to obtain tickets for a performance on the same day at discounted rates!
Ian McKellen On Stage London Lottery
DAY TICKETS: These are tickets that are made available at the theatre on the day of the show.
Ian McKellen On Stage London Day Tickets
FAQs
Q: Is there a way to purchase Ian McKellen London TKTS tickets online, instead of waiting in line at the TKTS booths?
A: Unfortunately, no. The only way to purchase tickets is in person at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square.
Q: What time should I arrive at Harold Pinter Theatre?
A: Doors open 45 minutes before show time. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before curtain.
Q: Can I take photographs or videos of the show?
A: The use of cameras (still and video) and sound recorders is not allowed inside the theatre.
Q: What do I wear to the show?
A: There is no specific dress code. Formal attire is not required; semi formal or smart casual is recommended.
Q: Is there a possibility that I will get partial view seating if I purchase discounted Ian McKellen On Stage London tickets?
A: When booking with Headout, you will get to select your specific seats, thus, ensuring you do not get stuck with partial view. However, if you opt to try and win lottery tickets, or purchase day seats, your seats will be allocated at the discretion of the Box Office, which can potentially mean partial view seating or split seats.
