I used to think 'King Lear' was an analysis of insanity, but I don't really think it is. When Lear is supposed to be at his most insane, he is actually understanding the world for the first time. Ian Mckellen analysisinsaneinsanity Change image and share on social
I love musicals; I love the ballet, opera, the circus. It's all performance to me. Ian Mckellen balletcircuslove Change image and share on social
One school invited me down, as two pupils had come out, and the headmaster didn't know what to do about it. I said, 'How many students here are gay?' and he said, 'Just these two.' Clearly not. 'How many gay members of staff have you got?' He had no idea. And this was a concerned man. Ian Mckellen concerngayheadmaster share on social
If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's all laid out for you. Ian Mckellen attentioncentredraw Change image and share on social
It's an interesting but useless bit of information that every single character in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' wears a wig, and many of them wears a prosthetic - false ears, feet, hands. In my case, nose. Ian Mckellen bitecasecharacter share on social
There's lots of Tolkien that must be confusing to people. Ian Mckellen confuselotpeople Change image and share on social
Most actors are not rich - they are very poor indeed. What keeps them going is that they just love the job. Ian Mckellen actorjoblove Change image and share on social
I think with Shakespeare you can be required to do absolutely anything at the turn of a sixpence - suddenly you go into a battle, suddenly you utter something passionate. Ian Mckellen absolutelybattlepassionate Change image and share on social
'Macbeth' was a very lucky play for me. Ian Mckellen luckymacbethplay Change image and share on social
