Ian McKellen on playing Hamlet
50 years after last playing Hamlet, Sir Ian McKellen returns to the role. He tells John Wilson it’s clear to him Hamlet is bisexual and how he tackles acting's physical challenges.
50 years after last playing the Danish prince, Sir Ian McKellen is returning to the role of Hamlet, in an age, colour gender-blind production.
At the age of 82, he has new insight to the character. He tells presenter John Wilson it’s clear to him Hamlet is bisexual, and how he is tackling the physical challenges of stage acting.
He talks about his coming out in a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio interview in 1988, how it liberated him and improved his acting.
He also talks about his love of the theatre, how drama is an important aspect of British identity, and the joy of working in a company, the way his career began.
Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Julian May
Studio Engineer: Giles Aspen
Last on
Sir Ian McKellen
from 21 June - 4 Sept
Main image: Sir Ian McKellen
Photo credit: Sean Gleason
Broadcast
- Fri 18 Jun 2021 19:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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