Above: Ian Mckellen reading from Dylan Thomas, (after Cardiff he’s on to Northcott, Exeter).
He’s an extraordinary good fellow, Ian Mckellen: like Shakespeare using the imagination to understand war, conflict and fighting a path through to a lasting peace, he’s a man for all the right reasons.
You’ll recognise his face, celebrity and presence from his amazing performance of Gandalf in the Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit, X Men…..
but the breadth of Ian’s performing life is quite astonishing: (see his career credits at the bottom of this article).
Above: top with Adam Penford Artistic Director Nottingham Playhouse, below as Arthur Seaton in Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, as himself in his 2019 one man show and with Leo Mckern in The Life In My Hands in 1964, about capital punishment a year after the Playhouse opened.
I wish I’d seen 80 year old Ian Mckellen’s one man show when he came to Nottingham Playhouse on 25th and 26th June a show he’s touring around 67 cities this year, starting at the Space Theatre and ending in August in the Isle of Orkney.
One person shows cross poetry, acting, performance and dance and make you feel connected to the energy in life. They bring autobiography, our hunger to know about connections, entwinings and entanglements: truth, facts, evidence and ever richer stories closer to more people more of the time. I know my daughter and mum were deeply moved when they went to see Tony Benn’s one man show.
Not only is Ian Mckellen a legendary actor, he was also one of the founders of Stonewall who, in the same way as Black Panthers transformed how America understood civil rights. Stonewall changed representation of LGBT and transgender people forever. When we consider how President Trump sees himself as an activist against rights activists in america (see him at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference before he went to Japan for G20), we realise how important love, pacifism and making a space for everyone really is just now.
Education and participation is part of that.
Through his two nights at Nottingham Playhouse, Ian Mckellen has been instrumental in raising £50,000 to continue our local theatre’s amazing mission work to increase participation in the theatre at every level. I participated in their Roundabout Theatre’s Saturday morning workshops as a child (a Joan of Arc workshop was particularly moving and memorable). Theatre and rehearsal, improvisation gives you space, everyone needs space.
Listening to the autobiography of Derek Jarman on radio 4 made me realise how fragile and strong humans and our sense of rights and history are. Original and acclaimed film maker Jarman died during the war of and on gay people during the section 28 era I got the sense in Rupert Everett’s reading of the unfolding of leaves of truths about Jarman’s legacy that he fought for truth and justice until the very end of his life with love, friendship and incredible courage:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006fwm
Go Mckellen, go Nottingham Playhouse…..!(there’s a fantastic Nottingham Post article about the background and the show by local author/literature activist Dave Belbin)
Ian McKellen Credits Theatre/Film/TV/Video Game/
1964 A Scent of Flowers Godrey Duke of York’s Theatre
1965 Much Ado About Nothing Claudio National Theatre
Old Vic
1965 Armstrong’s Last Goodnight Protestant Evangelist National Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre
1965 Trelawny of the ‘Wells’ Capt. de Foenix National Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre
1966 The Man of Destiny / O’Flaherty V.C. Corporal Napoleon / Private O’Flaherty Mermaid Theatre
1966 A Lily in Little India Alvin Hanker Hampstead Theatre
1966 Their Very Own and Golden City Andrew Cobham Mermaid Theatre
1967 The Promise Leonidik Fortune Theatre
Henry Miller’s Theatre
1968 The White Liars / Black Comedy Tom / Harold Gorringe Lyric Theatre
1968–1970 Richard II Richard II UK tour
1969 The Bacchae Pentheus Liverpool Playhouse
1969 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Director Also director
Liverpool Playhouse
1969 Three Months Gone N/A Director
Liverpool Playhouse
1969–1970 Edward II UK and European tours
1970 Billy’s Last Stand Darkly Royal Court Theatre
1970 The Recruiting Officer Captain Plume UK tour
1970 Chips with Everything Corporal Hill UK tour
1971 Hamlet Prince Hamlet UK and European tours
1971 The Swan Song Svetlovidov Crucible Theatre
1972 The Real Inspector Hound N/A Director
Phoenix Theatre
1972 The Erpingham Camp N/A Director
Watford Palace Theatre
1972 Ruling the Roost / Tis Pity She’s a Whore / The Three Arrows Page-boy / Giovanni / Prince Yoremitsu UK tour
1973 A Private Matter N/A Director
Vaudeville Theatre
1973–1974 The Way of the World / The Wood Demon / King Lear Lady Wishfort’s Footman / Kruschov / Edgar UK tour
Brooklyn Academy of Music
1974 Tis Pity She’s a Whore Giovanni New Wimbledon Theatre
1974 Dr Faustus Dr. Faustus Edinburgh Festival
Aldwych Theatre
1974 The Marquis of Keith Aldwych Theatre
1975 King John Aldwych Theatre
1975 The Clandestine Marriage N/A Director
Savoy Theatre
1975 Ashes Colin Young Vic
1975 Too True to Be Good Aubrey “Popsy” Bagot Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Aldwych Theatre
Globe Theatre
1976–1977 Romeo and Juliet Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Aldwych Theatre
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
1976 The Winter’s Tale King Leontes Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1976–1978 Macbeth Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Young Vic
Donmar Warehouse
1977–1978 The Alchemist Face Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Aldwych Theatre
1977 Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Alexander Barbican Arts Centre
1977 Pillars of the Community Karsten Bernick Aldwych Theatre
1977 The Days of the Commune Langevin Aldwych Theatre
1978 A Miserable and Lonely Death Kentridge Aldwych Theatre
1978–1979 Twelfth Night / Three Sisters Sir Toby Belch / Andrei Also producer
UK tour
1979 Bent Max Royal Court Theatre
Criterion Theatre
1980–1990 Acting Shakespeare Himself World tour
1980–1981 Amadeus Salieri Broadhurst Theatre
1982 Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Alexander Barbican Arts Centre
1983 Short List Terry Hampstead Theatre
1983 Cowardice Ambassadors Theatre
1984 Venice Preserv’d Pierre Royal National Theatre
1984 Wild Honey Michael Platonov Royal National Theatre
1984 Coriolanus Gaius Marcius Coriolanus Royal National Theatre
1985 The Duchess of Malfi Bosola Royal National Theatre
1985 The Real Inspector Hound / The Critic Inspector Hound / Mr. Puff Royal National Theatre
1985 The Cherry Orchard Lopakhin Royal National Theatre
1986–1987 Wild Honey Michael Platonov August Wilson Theatre
1988–1989 Henceforward... Jerome Vaudeville Theatre
1989 Othello Iago Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Young Vic
1990–1992 Richard III World tour
1992 Uncle Vanya Royal National Theatre
1993–1997 A Knight Out Himself UK & US tours
1997, 1998 An Enemy of the People Dr. Tomas Stockmann Royal National Theatre
Ahmanson Theatre
1997 Peter Pan Mr. Darling/Captain Hook Royal National Theatre
1998 Present Laughter Garry Essendine West Yorkshire Playhouse
2001–2004 Dance of Death Edgar Broadhurst Theatre
Lyric Theatre
Sydney Arts Festival
2004, 2005 Aladdin Widow Twankie The Old Vic
2006 The Cut Max Donmar Warehouse
2007–2008 King Lear Lear Stratford-upon-Avon
Brooklyn Academy of Music
New London Theatre
2007–2008 The Seagull Sorin Stratford-upon-Avon
Brooklyn Academy of Music
New London Theatre
2009–2010 Waiting for Godot Estragon Theatre Royal Haymarket
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Fugard Theatre
2011 The Syndicate Don Antonio Chichester Festival Theatre
2013–2014 Waiting for Godot / No Man’s Land Estragon / Spooner Cort Theatre
2016 No Man’s Land Spooner Wyndham’s Theatre
2016 – 2019 The Exorcist (voice only) The voice of the Demon Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Phoenix Theatre London
UK tour
2017 Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others and You Himself Park Theatre
2017–2018 King Lear Lear Chichester Festival Theatre
Duke of York’s Theatre
2019 Ian McKellen on Stage – With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and You Himself UK tour
Harold Pinter Theatre
Filmography
1969 The Promise Leonidik Michael Hayes
Alfred the Great Roger Clive Donner
A Touch of Love George Matthews Waris Hussein
1981 Priest of Love D. H. Lawrence Christopher Miles
1983 The Keep Dr. Theodore Cuza Michael Mann
1985 Plenty Sir Andrew Charleson Fred Schepisi
Zina Arthur Kronfeld Ken McMullen
1989 Scandal John Profumo Michael Caton-Jones
1990 Othello Iago Trevor Nunn
1993 Six Degrees of Separation Geoffrey Miller Fred Schepisi
The Ballad of Little Jo Percy Corcoran Maggie Greenwald
Last Action Hero Death John McTiernan
1994 To Die For Quilt Documentary Narrator Peter Litten Voice
The Shadow Dr. Reinhardt Lane Russell Mulcahy
I’ll Do Anything John Earl McAlpine James L. Brooks
1995 Restoration Will Gates Michael Hoffman
Richard III Richard Loncraine Also writer and executive producer
Jack and Sarah William Tim Sullivan
1997 Swept from the Sea Dr. James Kennedy Beeban Kidron
Bent Uncle Freddie Sean Mathias
1998 Gods and Monsters James Whale Bill Condon Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor
Apt Pupil Kurt Dussander Bryan Singer
2000 X-Men Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto Nominated — Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Villain
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Gandalf the Grey Peter Jackson Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Gandalf the White
2003 X2 Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto Bryan Singer Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain
Emile Emile Carl Bessai
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Gandalf the White Peter Jackson
2004 Eighteen Older Jason Anders Richard Bell Voice
2005 Neverwas Gabriel Finch Joshua Michael Stern
Asylum Dr. Peter Cleave David Mackenzie
The Magic Roundabout Zebedee Dave Borthwick
Jean Duval
Frank Passingham Voice
2006 Flushed Away The Toad David Bowers
Sam Fell
The Da Vinci Code Sir Leigh Teabing Ron Howard Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain
X-Men: The Last Stand Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto Brett Ratner
2007 Stardust Narrator Matthew Vaughn Voice
The Golden Compass Iorek Byrnison Chris Weitz
2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Gandalf the Grey Peter Jackson
2013 The Wolverine Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto James Mangold Uncredited cameo
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Gandalf the Grey Peter Jackson
2014 Miss in Her Teens The Prologue Matthew Butler Hart
X-Men: Days of Future Past Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto (future) Bryan Singer Shared role with Michael Fassbender
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Gandalf the Grey Peter Jackson
2015 Mr. Holmes Sherlock Holmes Bill Condon
2017 Beauty and the Beast Cogsworth
Animal Crackers Horatio P. Huntington Scott Christian Sava
Tony Bancroft Voice
2018 All Is True Earl of Southampton Kenneth Branagh
2019 The Good Liar Roy Courtnay Bill Condon Completed
Cats Gus the Theatre Cat Tom Hooper Completed
Television
1964 The Indian Tales of Rudyard Kipling Plowden Episode: “The Tomb of His Ancestors”
1965 Sunday Out of Season Victor Leech Television film
The Wednesday Play Wolf Episode: “The Trial and Torture of Sir John Rampayne”
1966 David Copperfield 9 episodes
1970 Solo John Keats Episode: “Ian McKellen as John Keats”
1972 Country Matters David Masterman Episode: “Craven Arms”
1978 Jackanory Reader Episode: “The Moon in the Cloud”
1980 Armchair Thriller Anthony Skipling Episode: “Dying Day”
1981 Pillar of Fire Narrator Documentary
1982 The Scarlet Pimpernel Paul Chauvelin Television film
Walter Walter Television film
1983 Walter and June Walter Television film
1988 Windmills of the Gods Chairman 2 episodes
1989 Countdown to War Adolf Hitler Television film
1993 And the Band Played On Bill Kraus Television film
1995 Cold Comfort Farm Amos Starkadder Television film
1996 Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny Nicholas II Television film
1999 David Copperfield Mr. Creakle 2 episodes
2003 The Simpsons Himself Voice
Episode: “The Regina Monologues”
2005 Coronation Street Mel Hutchwright/Lionel Hipkiss 10 episodes
2006 Extras Himself Episode: “Sir Ian McKellen”
2008 King Lear King Lear Television film
2009 The Prisoner Number Two 6 episodes
2012 Doctor Who The Great Intelligence Voice
Episode: “The Snowmen”
2013–2016 Vicious Freddie Thornhill 14 episodes
2015 The Dresser Norman Television film
2018 Family Guy Dr. Cecil Pritchfield Voice
Episode: “Send in Stewie, Please”
Video games
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Gandalf
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2004 The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age
2004 The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
Music videos
1988 Pet Shop Boys Heart
2014 George Ezra Listen to the Man
Film and television
Academy Awards
1999 Gods and Monsters Best Actor Nominated for 6
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Best Supporting Actor Nominated for 7
Annie Awards
2006 Flushed Away Voice Acting in a Feature Production Won
BAFTA Awards
BAFTA Film Awards
1995 Richard III
Best Actor Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Best Actor Nominated for 9
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Best Supporting Actor Nominated for 9
BAFTA TV Awards
2016 The Dresser Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Critics’ Choice Movie Award
1998 Gods and Monsters Best Actor Won
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Best Cast Won
Golden Globe Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1995 Richard III Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated
1996 Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny Best Supporting Actor – Television Won
1998 Gods and Monsters Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated
Poppy Awards
2015 The Hobbit Best Supporting Actor Won
Primetime Emmy Awards
1993 And the Band Played On Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated
1996 Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated
2006 Extras Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2008 King Lear Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie[9] Nominated
2009 The Prisoner Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated
Satellite Awards
1996 Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny Best Supporting Actor – Television Nominated
1998 Gods and Monsters Best Actor Motion Picture Drama Nominated
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
Saturn Awards
1998 Apt Pupil Best Supporting Actor Won
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Best Supporting Actor Won
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards
1998 Gods and Monsters Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role Won
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Won
Miscellaneous award wins
Year Nominated work Award Result
1993 And the Band Played On CableAce Award for Best Supporting Actor Miniseries/Movie[9] Won
1995 Richard III European Film Award for Best Actor Won
1998 Gods and Monsters British Independent Film Award for Best Actor Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Won
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor Won
San Sebastián International Film Festival Award for Best Actor Won
Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Won
1998 Gods and Monsters / Apt Pupil Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor Won
Theatre
Drama Desk Awards
1974 The Wood Demon / King Lear Outstanding Performance Won
1981 Amadeus Outstanding Actor in a Play Won
1984 Acting Shakespeare Outstanding One-Person ShowWon
1987 Wild Honey Outstanding Actor in a Play Won
Evening Standard Awards
1984 Coriolanus Best Actor Won
1989 Othello Best Actor Won
Olivier Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1977 Pillars of the Community Best Actor in a RevivalWon
1978 The Alchemist Best Comedy Performance Won
1979 Bent Best Actor in a New Play Won
1984 Wild Honey Best Actor in a Revival Won
1986 The Cherry Orchard Best Actor Nominated
1990 Othello / Bent Best Actor Nominated
1991 Richard III Best Actor Won
1992 Uncle Vanya Best Actor Nominated
2008 King Lear Best Actor Nominated
2017 No Mans Land Best Actor Nominated
2019 King Lear Best Actor Nominated
Tony Awards
1981 Amadeus Best Actor in a Play Won
1984 Acting Shakespeare Best Actor in a Play Nominated
Other theatre awards
1998 A Knight Out in Los Angeles Garland Award for Outstanding Solo Performance Won
Honorary awards
2004 Pride International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement & Distinction Award
2006 Olivier Awards Society’s Special Award
2009 Evening Standard Awards The Lebedev Special Award
2010 Empire Awards Empire Icon Award
2017 Istanbul International Film Festival Honorary Award
signsofanopencity 
You must be logged in to post a comment.