IAN MCKELLEN ON STAGE – WITH SHAKESPEARE, TOLKIEN AND YOU!
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proudly presented by ASB and Theatre Royal Foundation at Various venues - on tour, New Zealand wide From 5 May 2012 to 24 Jun 2012 Reviewed by: John Smythe; Janet McAllister (New Zealand Herald); |
We're delighted to be amongst the first to tell you about a special event featuring Festival enthusiast Sir Ian McKellen coming to New Zealand audiences soon.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings star is downing his staff and pointy blue hat over the coming weekends to perform a special one-man show in 11 New Zealand centres to raise funds solely to restore Christchurch's historic Isaac Theatre Royal. This is sure to be a hit so secure your tickets once they go onsale at 9am tomorrow morning (Friday 13 April).
Sir Ian, currently in New Zealand reprising his Oscar-nominated Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings films, has shown a keen enthusiasm for the arts in this country - read about his 2012 Festival favourites here – and his fondness for the Isaac Theatre Royal, the motivation behind this special event.
“The last time I was on stage in New Zealand was at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Waiting for Godot," says Sir Ian. "I love this beautiful old theatre and want to help restore it as soon as possible.”
Sir Ian will spend his weekends in May and June performing Ian McKellen on Stage at local theatres around the country. He opens in Stratford on Saturday 5 May before heading to Palmerston North, Hamilton, Tauranga, Nelson, Auckland, Christchurch, Wanaka, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Carterton.
Ian McKellen on Stage is a new show, devised in part by the audience. In this unique fundraiser, you can ask any question at all about Sir Ian's work and life, as he retraces his journey from the north of England to the West End of London, to Broadway, Hollywood and to Middle Earth. There will be chat, reminiscence, gossip and performances from his Shakespeare and Tolkien repertoire – with maybe a song and a chance to act with him on stage! All income (no hidden costs) will go directly to repair Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal which was badly damaged in the series of 2011 earthquakes and is undergoing recovery.
In Sir Ian's words: "Basically it will be a party. Do come!"
Tickets will go on sale at 9am, Friday 13 April
Prices are $50 adults / $25 students (excl. ticket fees)
Ian McKellen on Stage Schedule
Saturday 5 May 7.30pm: Kings Theatre, Stratford | Book via 06 765 8255
Sunday 6 May 1.00pm: Centrepoint, Palmerston North | Book at Centrepoint 06 354 5740 or www.centrepoint.co.nz
Saturday 12 May 7.30pm: Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton | Book at Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz
Sunday 13 May 2.00pm: Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga | Book at TicketDirect 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Sunday 20 May 2.00pm & 7.30pm: Theatre Royal, Nelson | Book at TicketDirect 0800 224 224 or 03 548 3840 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Saturday 26 May 8.00pm: Q, Auckland | Book at Q 09 309 9771 or www.qtheatre.co.nz
Sunday 27 May 2.00pm: Q, Auckland | Book at Q 09 309 9771 or www.qtheatre.co.nz
Saturday 2 June 7.30pm: Aurora Centre, Christchurch | Book at Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz
Sunday 3 June 2pm: The Court Theatre, Bernard St, Addington, Christchurch | Book on (03) 9630 870 or online at www.courttheatre.org.nz
Saturday 9 June 7.30pm: Lake Wanaka Centre | Book by phoning 03 443 4172 or www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
Sunday 10 June 11.00am: Lake Wanaka Centre | Book by phoning 03 443 4172 or www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
Saturday 16 June 2.00pm: Hawkes Bay Opera House, Hastings| Book at Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz
Saturday 23 June 7.30pm: Opera House, Wellington | Book at Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz
Sunday 24 June 2.00pm: Events Centre, Carterton | Book at Dash Tickets 06 379 4082 or www.dashtickets.co.nz