McKellen’s big fundraiser for two Midlands theatres

Published: 7 July 2019
Reporter: Steve Orme

Ian McKellen raising money at Birmingham REP
Ian McKellen and Adam Penford outside Nottingham Playhouse

Ian McKellen raised almost £200,000 for two Midlands theatres with his one-man show Ian McKellen On Stage.

As part of his 80th birthday celebrations, he played to packed houses at three shows at Birmingham REP, raising £140,000 towards the theatre’s three-year campaign which aims to raise £1 million to ensure the REP can continue to nurture the region's young artists and commission new works.

More than 2,400 people paid to see McKellen’s show, with tickets selling out inside 48 hours. The REP’s executive director Rachael Thomas said, “we’re extremely grateful to Ian for his wonderful generosity and support. The event and its impact on the REP will be remembered for many, many years to come.”

Two performances by McKellen raised more than £50,000 for the SHINE appeal at Nottingham Playhouse, which aims to create and sustain free theatre-making opportunities for young people across Nottinghamshire, and its 50-50 scheme, which donates tickets to charities and community groups.

McKellen said, “I was part of the first company which opened the Playhouse in 1963, before I’d ever worked in London. It was thrilling to be back with my new solo show of anecdotes and acting.”

He was part of the cast which opened the current Playhouse building in 1963, in Sir Tyrone Guthrie’s production of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. He was also the first actor to play Arthur Seaton in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning by Nottingham playwright Alan Sillitoe.

The theatre’s artistic director Adam Penford said, “it was a real pleasure welcoming Ian McKellen back to Nottingham Playhouse. His stories of those early years were both entertaining and inspiring. Our theatre has always been home to great actors, writers and directors. Long may that continue.”

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