Sir Ian McKellen showed off his sense of style at the Player Kings after-party at St Martin’s Lane in London on Thursday, after hitting the boards in the new West End play.
The actor, 84, took the stage at the Noel Coward Theater earlier that night as John Falstaff in the production, directed by Robert Icke, and received rave four-star reviews from critics for his “boundless energy” and “spectacle.” “.
Sir Ian changed out of his stage suit and into a Casablanca green printed coat from his 2022 collection.
He added a pop of color in aquamarine jeans and a white shirt and sported a full beard, after growing facial hair for the role.
The legendary actor will star in a 12-week West End run in the play which is a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by award-winning writer and director Robert.
Sir Ian McKellen showed off his sense of style at the Player Kings after-party at St Martin’s Lane in London on Thursday, after hitting the boards in the new West End play.
The actor, 84, took to the stage at the Noel Coward Theater that same night as John Falstaff in the production directed by Robert Icke.
Sir Ian has grown a beard for the role (pictured last year looking clean shaven)
It brings together Shakespeare’s two historical plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2) with a cast that includes Toheen Jimoh as Hal and Richard Coyle as King Henry IV.
On why he took on the role, Sir Ian said that when he became a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, he was in the university production of John Barton’s Henry IV.
He said: ‘Derek Jacobi played Prince Hal and I was the former Judge Shallow. The plays have been among my favorite Shakespeares ever since, although over the years I have resisted offers to play John Falstaff. Robert Icke’s ingenious adaptation was irresistible.’
Robert said: “It is a real honor to be working with one of our greatest Shakespeare actors, Ian McKellen, especially as he takes on one of Shakespeare’s most iconic roles, one he has never performed before.”
“It’s an exciting challenge to bring together two Shakespeare plays into a single production, and I’m very excited to share it with audiences in the West End and across the country.”
Following its London run, Sir Ian, whose film credits include The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will take The Player Kings to Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
Earlier this week, Ian had to take drastic and swift action to ensure he crossed London in time for his daily stage performance – riding on the back of a motorbike.
The legendary actor will star in a 12-week West End run in the play which is a remake of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by award-winning writer and director Robert
Sir Ian changed out of his stage suit and into a green Casablanca printed coat from the designer’s 2022 collection.
He added a pop of color in aquamarine jeans and a white shirt and sported a full beard, after growing facial hair for the role.
Following its London run, Sir Ian, whose film credits include The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will take The Player Kings to Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
On why he took on the role, Sir Ian said that when he became a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, he was in the university production of John Barton’s Henry IV.
It brings together Shakespeare’s two historical plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2) with a cast that includes Toheen Jimoh as Hal and Richard Coyle as King Henry IV.
A source said: “Sir Ian tried to be picked up by a car provided by theater bosses but it took so long to get across town it was useless.”
‘One night it took him 90 minutes to get there from his house. After that, it was decided that the motorcycle was the only option.