Ian McKellen On Stage at The Harold Pinter Theatre

It’s quite a relief that, having been pipped to the post in securing tickets for Ian McKellen’s 80^th birthday celebratory tour, which started in February, I finally got to see the great man at the beginning of his limited season at The Harold Pinter Theatre.  No wonder the whole event has been a complete sell-out, as his almost three-hour solo show is an absolute delight.

This may be a celebration of reaching the grand old age of eighty, but it would be difficult to find anyone less like an octogenarian. He is a wonderful advert for Pilates classes, which he apparently attends twice a week and for keeping his mind and body active by continuing to work.  Upright and sprightly with an astonishing memory for special events in his life, favourite poems and excerpts from his many, many performances, whatever keeps Sir Ian McKellen up to speed should be bottled.

Whilst the great man moves effortlessly across his beloved stage, his audience sit forward in their seats, secure in the knowledge that this most beloved of our great actors will entertain and delight.  This he does exquisitely, infusing the recollections of his life in the theatre so far, with a ready wit and the most perfect timing. 

The show starts in darkness and the voice of Gandalf, McKellen’s most iconic screen role, stating ‘You cannot pass’.  Then the lights come up and we’re taken deep into Middle Earth, whilst he clutches a well-worn copy of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.  We’re then taken back in time to the start of his love affair with the theatre.  From a childhood visit to see Peter Pan, to enjoying Ivor Novello’s  King’s Rhapsody, where he admits to having his first erection whilst sitting in the Dress Circle.  Obviously, this isn’t the only reference to his homosexuality.  He treats us to honest glimpses of various battles he faced against homophobia and how finally coming out took a huge weight off his shoulders. 

Moving from one memory to another is seamlessly done by searching through the label infested trunk (each theatre visited on the tour has its own sticker) to unearth a prop or book.  And each memory is accompanied by a witty anecdote concerning family, friends and fellow actors.

Whilst the first half is semi-autobiographical, the second concentrates on McKellen’s homage to Shakespeare.  Enlisting help from the audience, he invites us to shout out the name of the bard’s entire catalogue.  The relevant play is then found in the trunk and is accompanied by either a witty remark – ‘I haven’t actually read this one’ – or a speech.

If this all sounds like luvvie self-indulgence, it really isn’t that at all.  Instead it’s an unpretentious love letter to the theatre, told with warmth and openness, leaving us in no doubt that Sir Ian is still a Lancashire lad at heart, who is never more at home than when entertaining an audience.  His long-time collaborator, Sean Matthias is his Director and between them they have produced something akin to an immersive cosy chat, with seemingly no barriers between actor and audience. 

In case you’re in any doubt, I loved it.