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Ian McKellen on playing Hamlet

50 years after last playing Hamlet, Sir Ian McKellen returns to the role. He tells John Wilson it鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 91热爆 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

Available now

41 minutes

Sir Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen is starring in Hamlet at the 听
from 21 June - 4 Sept

Main image: Sir Ian McKellen
Photo credit: Sean Gleason

Broadcast

  • Fri 18 Jun 2021 19:00

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