International star of stage and screen Sir Ian McKellen will celebrate his 80th birthday in style by performing a special solo show at the Albert Halls theatre in his hometown of Bolton.
Sir Ian is raising funds for British theatres with a new solo show ‘Ian McKellen On Stage’, which will play on 80 stages across the UK.
And he has chosen to celebrate his birthday at the Bolton Albert Halls theatre on Saturday, May 25, 2019.
The tour will begin at his local arts centre in January 2019 and ends in September.
As well as performances in the West End, he will visit theatres large and small with which he has personal connections, including amateur groups he knew as a child and notable playhouses he has played in as a professional actor over the last half-century.
His intimate show is a mixture of anecdote and acting and will see Sir Ian reprise some of his renowned performances including Gandalf.
Audiences will also have opportunities to ask questions and participate in the performance.
Ian McKellen said: “I’m celebrating my 80th birthday by touring a new solo show to theatres I know well and a few that I don’t.
“I wanted to celebrate my 80th birthday in Bolton, where I grew up and discovered in its three professional theatres, a passion for acting, which has never faded.
“In the Town Hall, where my father was Borough Engineer, I’ll feel at home and grateful for all that Bolton nurtured in me at Bolton School, the Little Theatre and in Barrow Bridge where we lived close to the moors.
“The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. In-between there will be anecdotes and acting.
“All profits will help with new seating in the Albert Halls Theatre. Happy birthday to me!”
Tickets will be available from 10am on Friday, November 9, from Quay Tickets via www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk or by calling the box office number 0843 2080 500. Tickets cost £38 (front two rows), and £35 (concessions available at £33).
Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “We are incredibly excited and honoured that Sir Ian is returning to his home town and chosen the Albert Halls as a venue for his 80th birthday tour, especially as it’s on his actual birthday.
“He is one the world’s biggest stars of stage and screen and he has always had Bolton close to his heart as it is where he acquired his love of acting and the theatre.
“Our town will make sure he has a birthday to remember.”
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr John Byrne, added: “Sir Ian is one of the world’s most talented, loved and recognised actors and one of Bolton’s finest - we are immensely proud of his achievements.
“It is a testament to the love that Sir Ian has for Bolton, that he has chosen to come back here to celebrate his birthday.
“We are particularly grateful for the donation to the Albert Halls which will help to refurbish the existing seating.
“I am sure that everyone will give him a warm welcome and make it a very special birthday that he will always treasure.”
Ambassador Theatre Group’s Executive Producer Adam Speers, said: “All of us in this industry are united by a passion for the arts and love of what we do.
“And this special show is a rare and excellent opportunity to celebrate what’s best in our industry while at the same time celebrating one of its greatest actors and raising vital funds to keep the lifeblood of theatre in this country flowing.”
Ian McKellen On Stage is presented by Ambassador Theatre Group and directed by Sean Mathias.
For further information and tour map, visit www.ianonstage.co.uk.
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