Sir Ian McKellen Comes to Q Theatre Auckland, May 26 & 27

Sir Ian McKellen's ON STAGE WITH SHAKESPEARE TOLKIEN AND YOU, a benefit performance for Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal, plays today May 26 and tomorrow, May 27, 2012.

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen is downing his staff and pointy blue hat at weekends to perform a special one-man show to raise funds to restore Christchurch's historic Isaac Theatre Royal!

Sir Ian is currently in NZ reprising his Oscar-nominated Gandalf in The Hobbit films and, direct from the Miramar studios, he will spend his weekends in May and June performing Ian McKellen on Stage at local theatres around the country. He arrives at Q for 2 performances in May.

Ian McKellen on Stage is a new show, devised in part by the audience... In this unique fundraiser, you can ask any question at all about Sir Ian's work and life, as he retraces his journey from the north of England to the West End of London, to Broadway, Hollywood and to Middle Earth. There will be chat, reminiscence, gossip and performances from his Shakespeare and Tolkien repertoire - with maybe a song and a chance to act with him onstage!Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to repair Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal - which was badly damaged in the series of 2011 earthquakes - visit www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz for details on the recovery.

"Basically it will be a party. Do come!" Sir Ian says, "the last time I was on stage in New Zealand was at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Waiting for Godot. I love this beautiful old theatre and want to help restore it as soon as possible."

Sir Ian's performances at Q are supported by the Auckland Arts Festival.

To buy tickets and for more information click here.