Sir Ian McKellen is to have a theatre named in his honour. The new venue underneath the Ashton Hall in Edinburgh has a seating capacity of 300 and is to be called The Ian McKellen Theatre at Saint Stephens.
The Ashton Hall is where McKellen’s dance version of Hamlet played to sell-out houses during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe enjoying record-breaking audiences and being named Best Event Theatre at the Fringe by Theatre Weekly.
The production was directed and choreographed by Peter Schaufuss of whom McKellen said, “Peter Schaufuss’ unique contribution to Edinburgh’s cultural life, during and beyond the annual festival, is now enhanced by his new theatre at St Stephens. I am honoured that it will bear my name.”
McKellen’s career has spanned six decades. Schaufuss regards him as the greatest actor of his generation and said, “we were thrilled to have him lead our company in Hamlet. Thanks to his involvement, we were the only genuine sold-out hit of the Fringe—we sold every ticket at every performance from the first preview and could have easily extended the run.
"He generously led our company and the beanie hat he wore in each performance of Hamlet was auctioned after the show, raising £12,000 to support a bursary fund bearing his name that will now help future young dance students at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School. Now his involvement with our company will live on in this new all-year-round performance venue for Scotland.”