entertainment
Ian McKellen: ‘Of course Gandalf would beat Dumbledore in a fight’
The actor on dealing with disruptive drinkers in his pub, what he’d ask Shakespeare, and being urged by Alec Guinness to withdraw from Stonewall
TL;DR
- Repertory theatre has significantly declined in the UK since the 1960s, impacting training for new actors.
- Audience enthusiasm for lively theatre remains strong.
- McKellen would ask Shakespeare if he wrote the plays and to sketch the original Globe theatre.
- He considers Gandalf the winner in a fight against Dumbledore.
- McKellen was inspired to act by other actors, not his preacher father.
- He stopped worshipping in his teens but admires Quakers for their principles and support of gay rights.
- Pantomime is described as a matchless introduction to theatre, rooted in British patriotism alongside Shakespeare.
- David Bowie was considered for the role of Gandalf.
- Alec Guinness advised McKellen to withdraw from his activism with Stonewall, but he did not follow the advice.
- McKellen's interpretation of 'To be or not to be' evolved from 'live life to the full' to 'let be'.