Sir Ian McKellen showed off his sense of style at the Player Kings after-party in St Martin’s Lane in London on Thursday, after taking to the stage in the new West End play.
The actor, 84, took to the stage at the Noel Coward Theater earlier in the evening as John Falstaff in the production, directed by Robert Icke – and received rave reviews from four-star reviews for his ‘boundless energy’ and ‘showmanship’.
Sir Ian changed out of his stage costume and donned a green patterned Casablanca jacket from their 2022 collection.
He added a pop of color with aquamarine jeans and a white shirt and sported a bushy beard, having grown his facial hair for the role.
The legendary actor will star in a twelve-week run in the West End 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 taking the stage in the new West End play
The actor, 84, took to the stage at the Noel Coward theater earlier in the evening as John Falstaff in the production, directed by Robert Icke.
Sir Ian grew a beard for the role (pictured right last year with his clean-shaven look)
It brings together Shakespeare’s two history plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2) with the cast including Toheen Jimoh as Hal and Richard Coyle as King Henry IV.
As for why he took on the role, Sir Ian said that when he became a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, he starred in John Barton’s bachelor production of Henry IV.
He said, “Derek Jacobi played Prince Hal and I was old Justice Shallow. The plays have been among my favorite Shakespeares ever since, although I have turned down offers to play John Falstaff over the years. Robert Icke’s ingenious adaptation was irresistible.’
Robert said: ‘It is a real honor to be working with one of our greatest Shakespearean actors, Ian McKellen, especially as he takes on one of the most iconic Shakespearean roles – and a role he has never previously had his hand at. datum.
‘It’s an exciting challenge to bring two Shakespeare plays together in one production, and I’m so excited to share this with audiences in the West End and across the country.’
Following the 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 quick action to ensure he got through London in time for his daily appearance on stage – on the back of a motorbike.
The legendary actor will star in a twelve-week run in the West End in the play which is a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by award-winning writer and director Robert
Sir Ian changed out of his stage costume and wore a green patterned Casablanca jacket from the designer’s 2022 collection
He added a pop of color with aquamarine jeans and a white shirt and sported a bushy beard, having grown his facial hair for the role.
Following the 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
As for why he took on the role, Sir Ian said that when he became a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, he starred in John Barton’s bachelor production of Henry IV.
It brings together Shakespeare’s two history plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2) with the cast including Toheen Jimoh as Hal and Richard Coyle as King Henry IV
One source said: ‘Sir Ian tried to get picked up by a car belonging to theater bosses but it took so long to get through the city it was pointless.
‘One night it took him 90 minutes to get from home. Then it was decided that a motorcycle was the only option.”