Actor Sir Ian McKellen, famous for roles such as Gandalf in Lord of The Rings, 78, first appeared at the Duke of York’s Theatre in a 1964 production of A Scent Of Flowers.
He will return to the London venue in July for the transfer of the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of King Lear.
The star wrote on Twitter: “King Lear again: 100 performances at Duke of York’s in London where I made my West End debut 1964.
SYNOPSIS
King Lear is set in the court of an ageing British monarch. Shakespeare probably wrote it in around 1604, sandwiched between two other great tragedies, Othello and Macbeth.
Having reached the age of 80.The widowed King Lear calls his nobles together to announce his intention to pass on the cares and responsibility of monarchy to his three daughters. With whom he means to live on a rota basis. His eldest, Goneril, is married to the Duke of Albany and his middle child. Regan, is married to the Duke of Cornwall. At the court are the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, both hoping to marry Lear’s youngest (and favourite) daughter Cordelia.
APPEARANCE AND REALITY
Lear soon discovers that, by passing his authority to his daughters, he has damaged his relationship with them so much that he is refused a home with either of them. He finds himself banished into a storm with only his Fool (a jester) and the disguised Kent for company. As he descends into madness he learns the error of his ways.
Gloucester’s support for the displaced King angers Goneril and Regan and he too finds himself cast out and defenceless and in the care of Poor Tom, whom he still believes to be a beggar rather than his own son. As both Lear and Gloucester learn the true nature of their children, their hopes rest with Cordelia, newly returned to Britain in charge of a French army.
There will be 100 performances of Shakespeare’s tragedy, beginning in July.
The contemporary production of King Lear, directed by Jonathan Munby, ran for a sold-out season at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Theatre in autumn last year, with Sir Ian winning rave reviews for his performance.
McKellen’s stage credits include several of Shakespeare’s most famous roles, including Hamlet and Macbeth.
King Lear opens at the Duke Of York’s Theatre, London, on July 11.
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HeadlineSir Ian McKellen is returning to the stage
Short HeadlineSir Ian McKellen returns to the West End as King Lear
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Actor Sir Ian McKellen, famous for roles such as Gandalf in Lord of The Rings, 78, first appeared at the Duke of York’s Theatre in a 1964 production of A Scent Of Flowers.
He will return to the London venue in July for the transfer of the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of King Lear.
The star wrote on Twitter: “King Lear again: 100 performances at Duke of York’s in London where I made my West End debut 1964.
SYNOPSIS
King Lear is set in the court of an ageing British monarch. Shakespeare probably wrote it in around 1604, sandwiched between two other great tragedies, Othello and Macbeth.
Having reached the age of 80.The widowed King Lear calls his nobles together to announce his intention to pass on the cares and responsibility of monarchy to his three daughters. With whom he means to live on a rota basis. His eldest, Goneril, is married to the Duke of Albany and his middle child. Regan, is married to the Duke of Cornwall. At the court are the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, both hoping to marry Lear’s youngest (and favourite) daughter Cordelia.
APPEARANCE AND REALITY
Lear soon discovers that, by passing his authority to his daughters, he has damaged his relationship with them so much that he is refused a home with either of them. He finds himself banished into a storm with only his Fool (a jester) and the disguised Kent for company. As he descends into madness he learns the error of his ways.
Gloucester’s support for the displaced King angers Goneril and Regan and he too finds himself cast out and defenceless and in the care of Poor Tom, whom he still believes to be a beggar rather than his own son. As both Lear and Gloucester learn the true nature of their children, their hopes rest with Cordelia, newly returned to Britain in charge of a French army.
There will be 100 performances of Shakespeare’s tragedy, beginning in July.
The contemporary production of King Lear, directed by Jonathan Munby, ran for a sold-out season at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Theatre in autumn last year, with Sir Ian winning rave reviews for his performance.
McKellen’s stage credits include several of Shakespeare’s most famous roles, including Hamlet and Macbeth.
King Lear opens at the Duke Of York’s Theatre, London, on July 11.
