Latest news with #IanMcKellen
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Lord of the Rings' star to introduce trans, non-binary rendition of Shakespeare
Sir Ian McKellen will be introducing a UK performance of William Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' featuring a cast entirely of transgender and non-binary performers this summer. The Trans What You Will theater group will soon be globally livestreaming their performance of a rehearsed reading of Shakespeare comedy 'Twelfth Night' at The Space theater in London on July 25. Advertisement The cast, as announced in their casting call, will consist of '12 – 14 trans and non-binary performers,' noting, 'We are particularly interested in hearing from those who are multiply marginalized as we want a wide representation of the trans community.' The theater group announced on its official Instagram page that 'iconic actor and LGBTQ+ activist, Sir Ian McKellen, will be introducing our show!' The post featured a statement from the famous film actor, declaring, ''Twelfth Night' is perhaps the funniest and most moving of Shakespeare's plays. This is achieved through the complexity of gender and sexuality from first to last. I'm really looking forward to the impact of this latest version of the play at The Space. I hope to see you there!' 3 'I'm really looking forward to the impact of this latest version of the play at The Space. I hope to see you there!' Sir Ian McKellen said about the upcoming Shakespeare performance with an entirely transgender and non-binary cast. Mike Marsland/WireImage for Pride in London Advertisement 3 Sir Ian McKellen attends 'The Lord Of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim' World Premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 03, 2024 in London, England. Getty Images for Warner Bros Pictures 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance – it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the center of the story,' director Phoebe Kemp told Attitude magazine. 3 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance – it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us,' director Phoebe Kemp told Attitude magazine. Getty Images A representative for the Trans What You Will theater company offered a similar statement, declaring, 'With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity. This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists.' Advertisement According to its crowdfunding campaign, profits will be sent to trans charity Not a Phase. Not A Phase describes itself on its website as a 'trans-led, nationwide charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Lord of the Rings' star to introduce all-trans, non-binary rendition of Shakespeare play
Sir Ian McKellen will be introducing a UK performance of William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" featuring a cast entirely of transgender and non-binary performers this summer. The Trans What You Will theater group will soon be globally livestreaming their performance of a rehearsed reading of Shakespeare comedy "Twelfth Night" at The Space theater in London on July 25. The cast, as announced in their casting call, will consist of "12 – 14 trans and non-binary performers," noting, "We are particularly interested in hearing from those who are multiply marginalized as we want a wide representation of the trans community." The theater group announced on its official Instagram page that "iconic actor and LGBTQ+ activist, Sir Ian McKellen, will be introducing our show!" Jk Rowling Does Victory Lap Following Uk Supreme Court Ruling That Trans Women Aren't Legally Women The post featured a statement from the famous film actor, declaring, "'Twelfth Night' is perhaps the funniest and most moving of Shakespeare's plays. This is achieved through the complexity of gender and sexuality from first to last. I'm really looking forward to the impact of this latest version of the play at The Space. I hope to see you there!" Read On The Fox News App "Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance – it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the center of the story," director Phoebe Kemp told Attitude magazine. A representative for the Trans What You Will theater company offered a similar statement, declaring, "With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity. This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture According to its crowdfunding campaign, profits will be sent to trans charity Not a Phase. Not A Phase describes itself on its website as a "trans-led, nationwide charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives."Original article source: 'Lord of the Rings' star to introduce all-trans, non-binary rendition of Shakespeare play
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Lord of the Rings' star to introduce all-trans, non-binary rendition of Shakespeare play
Sir Ian McKellen will be introducing a UK performance of William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" featuring a cast entirely of transgender and non-binary performers this summer. The Trans What You Will theater group will soon be globally livestreaming their performance of a rehearsed reading of Shakespeare comedy "Twelfth Night" at The Space theater in London on July 25. The cast, as announced in their casting call, will consist of "12 – 14 trans and non-binary performers," noting, "We are particularly interested in hearing from those who are multiply marginalized as we want a wide representation of the trans community." The theater group announced on its official Instagram page that "iconic actor and LGBTQ+ activist, Sir Ian McKellen, will be introducing our show!" The post featured a statement from the famous film actor, declaring, "'Twelfth Night' is perhaps the funniest and most moving of Shakespeare's plays. This is achieved through the complexity of gender and sexuality from first to last. I'm really looking forward to the impact of this latest version of the play at The Space. I hope to see you there!" "Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance – it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the center of the story," director Phoebe Kemp told Attitude magazine. A representative for the Trans What You Will theater company offered a similar statement, declaring, "With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity. This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists." According to its crowdfunding campaign, profits will be sent to trans charity Not a Phase. Not A Phase describes itself on its website as a "trans-led, nationwide charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sir Ian McKellen to front adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night featuring only trans and non-binary cast
Sir Ian McKellen will open a new adaptation of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night starring only trans and non-binary performers. The Lord of the Rings legend, 86, who is a longtime LGBTQ + advocate, will join the performance in London on July 25. Sir Ian is expected to introduce the adaptation of Twelfth Night - but will not be playing any of the roles. It is being produced by the theatre company Trans What You Will and will be staged at The Space Theatre - on the eve of London Trans Pride. The show is expected to explore the themes of gender identity and queerness through a trans lens. Sir Ian, who is openly gay, said: 'Twelfth Night is perhaps the funniest and most moving of Shakespeare's plays. 'This is achieved through the complexity of gender and sexuality from first to last. 'I'm really looking forward to the impact of this latest version of the play at The Space. I hope to see you there!' Twelfth Night follows the story of Viola who disguises herself as a man called Cesario to work for a Duke but falls in love with him. The Duke, however, is already in love with Countess Olivia - who subsequently falls for Viola, thinking she is a man. Director Phoebe Kemp said: 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance, it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. 'This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the centre of the story.' Trans What You Will spokesperson added: 'With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity. 'This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists.' However, the announcement of the performance has sparked some backlash on social media. Journalist and Reform UK councillor Darren Grimes posted on X: 'This isn't 'inclusive.' It's absurd. 'The arts have become a playground for ideology, not excellence. Shakespeare didn't need rewriting — and neither does reality. While another user posted on X: 'Are they legally allowed to hire only trans actors? Does that not breach the Equality Act?' A third said: 'More taxpayer money wasted on 'national treasures' and their silly virtue signalling pet projects, whilst young artists get nothing.' The Equality Act, which was passed in 2010, does allow exemptions in the field of casting where the characteristics are essential for the role being cast. Others, on the other hand, welcomed the announcement. One person wrote on Instagram: 'Booked the live stream. Exciting!' Another added: 'Ahhh this is incredible!! Congrats!!' Sir Ian has appeared in many Shakespeare plays, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, and King Lear. He is openly gay, having famously come out in 1998 during a BBC radio interview aged 48. Since then, he has been one of the most prominent British gay stars and is an advocate of LGBTQ+ issues.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Sir Ian McKellen to open trans Shakespeare production
Sir Ian McKellen will support an all-transgender and non-binary version of Twelfth Night. The Shakespearean actor, 86, will introduce the one-night-only performance at the Space Theatre in London. It will consist of a reading of the play conducted entirely by those who identify as non-binary or transgender. The play will also be directed by Phoebe Kemp, who prefers they/them pronouns, in a new London production. The production will also include a trigger warning alerting viewers to the fact that the comedy contains 'Shakespearean humour'. Kemp said: 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance – it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what's possible when trans and non-binary artists are at the centre of the story.' The performance will take place on July 25, on the eve of a scheduled Trans Pride march through London. The production will be the first staged by theatre company Trans What You Will, which is 'in the business of putting on Shakespeare with trans and non-binary performers'. The company has stated: 'We believe in the importance, now more than ever, to provide opportunities for those under the trans umbrella to come together and make us laugh and cry and show the world how precious and wonderful gender diversity can be.' Mistaken identity Twelfth Night is known for the comedic tropes of mistaken identity and gender-swapping disguises. Twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked on an island, ruled by lovelorn duke Orsino. Viola, disguised as a boy, falls in love with Orsino, who is in love with countess Olivia. The countess, meanwhile, falls in love with Viola, whom she believes is a man. In the end, all cases of mistaken identity are resolved and the main characters are paired off for marriage. The play's new version will not be the first time that casting decisions on Shakespearean works have been used to aid diversity and boost minority representation. London's Globe theatre has consistently staged gender-fluid productions, in which famous roles are played by people of either gender. In 2022, the theatre made Joan of Arc non-binary. The Maid of Orleans, a saint who led the French fight against the English in the Hundred Years' War, was given the pronouns 'they/them' rather than 'she/her'. Women's rights campaigners raised concerns that the move was an example of female figures being 'erased' from history. The issue of racial representation has also caused controversy, with performances of Slave Play holding 'black out nights', to which only non-white people were invited. This was to ensure that the intended all-black audience would be free from the 'white gaze'. A spokesman for Rishi Sunak, the prime minister at the time, said it was 'concerning' that West End shows were seeking to racially segregate audiences.
