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 treading the boards in the new West End play.
The actor, 84, took to the stage at the Noel Coward theatre earlier in the evening as John Falstaff in the production, directed by Robert Icke – and received rave four star reviews from critics for his ‘boundless energy’ and ‘showmanship’.
Sir Ian changed out of his stage costume and into a Casablanca green patterned coat from their 2022 collection.
He added a pop of colour with aquamarine coloured jeans and a white shirt and sported a bushy beard, after growing his facial hair for the role.
The legendary actor will star in a 12-week run in the West End in the play that is a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by the 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 treading the boards in the new West End play
The actor, 84, took to the stage at the Noel Coward theatre earlier in the evening as John Falstaff in the production, directed by Robert Icke
Sir Ian has grown 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.
Of why he took on the role, Sir Ian said when he became a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, he was in John Barton’s undergraduate production of Henry IV.
He said: ‘Derek Jacobi played Prince Hal and I was the ancient Justice Shallow. Ever since, the plays have been among my favourite Shakespeares, although through the years I’ve resisted offers to play John Falstaff. Robert Icke’s ingenious adaptation was irresistible.’
Robert said: ‘It’s a genuine honour to work with one of our greatest Shakespearean actors, Ian McKellen, especially as he tackles one of the most iconic Shakespearean roles–and one he’s previously never turned his hand to.
‘It’s an exciting challenge to bring together two of Shakespeare’s plays into one production, and I’m so excited to share with audiences in the West End and across the country.’
After 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 speedy, measures to ensure he made it across London in time for his daily performance on stage – riding on the back of a motorbike.
The legendary actor will star in a 12-week run in the West End in the play that is a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by the award-winning writer and director Robert
Sir Ian changed out of his stage costume and into a Casablanca green patterned coat from the designer’s 2022 collection
He added a pop of colour with aquamarine coloured jeans and a white shirt and sported a bushy beard, after growing his facial hair for the role
After 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
Of why he took on the role, Sir Ian said when he became a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, he was in John Barton’s undergraduate 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 getting picked up by a car provided by theatre bosses but it took so long to get across town it was pointless.
‘One night it took him 90 minutes to get from his home. After that, it was decided a motorbike was the only option.’
