Ian McKellen - Diary of a Year

Synopsis: Television arts documentary. When Ian McKellen joined the National Theatre in 1984, he was asked by The South Bank Show to keep an audiotape diary of his experiences as an actor over the next twelve months. Beginning June 1984, McKellen is seen in rehearsal for Peter Hall’s Coriolanus (readings and rehearsal from I viii and IV v). McKellen comments on his view of the role, including his finding inspiration for the character in the tennis player John McEnroe. There are numerous backstage scenes during performances and brief glimpses of the play itself (I iv, I ix), that nevertheless a good impression of the staging of the battle scenes. McKellen is seen receiving the Evening Standard Award for best actor for his role in Coriolanus. The programme gives an excellent impression of the work of an actor and the immense scale of the National Theatre’s operations.
Series: South Bank Show, The
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 20 Oct 1985 (Channel: ITV)
Duration: 54 mins

Director

Producer

Cast

Ian McKellen	Caius Martius Coriolanus
Greg Hicks	Tullus Aufidius

Theatre: National Theatre, London
Theatre company: National Theatre Company
Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Plays: Coriolanus
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: acting; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Rehearsals; National Theatre (London); McKellen, Ian (1939- )

SHAKESPEARE