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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sir Ian McKellen to open historic all-trans and nonbinary production of Twelfth Night
Trans What You Will is to launch its debut production with a rehearsed reading of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night next month, entirely directed by and cast with trans and nonbinary performers. The reading will be furthermore opened by Lord of the Rings legend Sir Ian McKellen. What a moment! The production will be staged at The Space Theatre in London on 25 July 2025, on the eve of London Trans Pride, with a global livestream available to audiences everywhere. Directed by Phoebe Kemp (they/them), this celebratory one-night-only performance reimagines one of Shakespeare's most gender-fluid comedies through a trans lens. Any profits will be donated to Not a Phase, a UK-based trans charity. Director Phoebe Kemp said in a statement: '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.' Added a Trans What You Will rep: '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.' Stage veteran McKellen is known for playing many of Shakespeare's greatest characters, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, and, most recently, King Lear. The Oscar-nominee is also known for films such as The Critic and Beauty and the Beast. For in-person tickets, click here. For livestream tickets, click here. The post Sir Ian McKellen to open historic all-trans and nonbinary production of Twelfth Night appeared first on Attitude.
Metro
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sir Ian McKellen to open all trans and non-binary production of iconic play
A brand-new company – Trans What You Will – will make its debut next month with a one-night-only rehearsed reading of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night starring Sir Ian McKellen. Directed entirely by and starring trans and nonbinary performers, the production marks a significant milestone in queer theatre. The event will be staged at The Space Theatre in London on 25 July 2025, on the eve of London Trans Pride, and will be available to watch globally via livestream. In a touch of theatrical royalty, the reading will be opened by none other than Sir Ian McKellen, whose storied career includes some of the most iconic roles in the Shakespearean canon. 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance—it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us,' said director Phoebe Kemp (they/them), who leads the production. 'This reading is about joy, solidarity, and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the centre of the story.' As one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, Twelfth Night revolves around mistaken identities, gender disguise, and love that defies expectations – making it a particularly fitting choice for reinterpretation through a trans lens. Viola, the play's protagonist, survives a shipwreck and disguises herself as a man, leading to a cascade of romantic entanglements and revelations. 'With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity,' a Trans What You Will spokesperson noted. 'This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists.' In a time when the rights and representation of trans people remain under intense scrutiny and political debate, this production is unapologetically celebratory. It's an artistic assertion that trans and nonbinary stories not only belong on stage – they belong at the centre. More Trending All profits from the evening will be donated to Not a Phase, a UK-based charity that supports the lives of trans and gender-diverse people. Sir Ian McKellen's involvement in the production is both symbolic and significant. A longtime LGBTQ+ advocate and one of the most revered Shakespearean actors of his generation, McKellen has portrayed a staggering array of the Bard's greatest roles, from Macbeth to King Lear. Whether in the room at The Space or watching from around the world, audiences will witness a night that promises not just to reimagine Shakespeare, but to reimagine who gets to tell the stories that define us. For in-person tickets, click here. For livestream tickets, click here. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: A stranger questioned my gender – but I'm a biological woman MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that' MORE: Iconic actor leaves fans 'in tears' after surprise appearance at Scissor Sisters' London gig
