A 300-seat theatre in Edinburgh will be named for Tony- and Olivier-winning actor Ian McKellen.
The naming of the Ian McKellen Theatre at Saint Stephens follows the actor's recent version of Hamlet, which was seen at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe by a record-breaking 13,000 theatregoers. In the dance version of the Shakespeare classic, McKellen performed Hamlet鈥檚 famed speeches and soliloquies, sharing the role with dancer Johan Christensen.
Hamlet launched the 450-seat Ashton Hall at Saint Stephens Edinburgh, a new all-year performance venue in the Scottish capital.
Peter Schaufuss, who directed and choreographed Hamlet, said, 鈥淪ince the Fringe ended we have created a second 300-seat theatre underneath the Ashton Hall, at St. Stephens, and I am delighted to announce that Ian has accepted our offer to name the venue in his honor鈥擳he Ian McKellen Theatre at Saint Stephens."
McKellen added, 鈥淧eter Schaufuss鈥� unique contribution to Edinburgh鈥檚 cultural life, during and beyond the annual festival, is now enhanced by his new theatre at St Stephens. I am honored that it will bear my name.鈥�
In 2007, the award-winning star of stage and screen was appointed Companion of Honour in 2007 for his services to Drama and Equality, in recognition of his LGBT activism.
