Ian McKellen

Synopsis: US television interview series hosted by Patrick Watson. The interviewer (Gregory Jackson, uncredited and off-screen) was recorded at the time McKellen was on Broadway playing Salieri in Peter Schaeffer’s Amadeus. McKellen discusses his childhood love of the theatre and the role of acting as a means of self-discovery rather than self concealment. He speaks of his interpretation of the character of Macbeth (in the RSC production with Judi Dench, directed by Trevor Nunn) and how he related his own ambitions and motivations to the role. He speaks on the comic elements in tragedy, and recalls with pleasure that he and Francesca Annis got 24 laughs in the balcony scene in the RSC production of Romeo and Juliet. Beautifully filmed, McKellen’s thoughts are intelligent, contemplative and seductive, giving a memorable account of the relationship between the private individual and the theatrical role.
Series: Signature
Language: English
Country: United States
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 20 Jan 1981 at 19:30 (Channel: CBS Cable)
Duration: 16 mins

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