THE actor best known for his role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy is set to include Richmond in his 80th birthday solo show tour.

Sir Ian McKellen is to celebrate his 80th birthday next year with a new show which will play on 80 stages across the UK, including the Georgian Theatre Royal on Friday, June 14, 2019.

To share this good fortune with its supporters and the local community, the theatre is giving away 100 free tickets in a public ballot. The ballot is currently live on the theatre’s website www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk and will close on Thursday, January 31. Those who are successful in obtaining tickets will be informed on Thursday, February 14 and winners will receive two tickets each for the evening.

Ian McKellen on Stage – Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and You! begins in January 2019. All profits will benefit specific causes at each theatre.

He said: “My UK tour is visiting many theatres I know and others that I care about. So I’m delighted to be back in the country’s oldest working theatre, whose intimacy will well suit my new solo show of anecdote and acting. All profits are to benefit this precious Theatre Royal.”

Clare Allen, Chief Executive of The Georgian Theatre Royal, said:

“We are thrilled to be hosting Ian McKellen as part of his awe-inspiring birthday tour. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of our times and it is a huge honour to have him tread the boards of our historic stage.

“We wanted to give as many people as possible the opportunity to share the occasion - whether they are supporters, volunteers and audience members at our own theatre, lovers of the arts or just dedicated Lord of the Rings aficionados - and we encourage people to pitch their names into the public ballot.”

Ian McKellen on Stage is presented by Ambassador Theatre Group and directed by Sean Mathias. Ambassador Theatre Group’s Executive Producer Adam Speers, said:

“ATG is proud to be presenting Ian McKellen on stage and is committed to supporting regional touring. The UK’s regional venues are integral in supporting and developing artists and practitioners across all areas of the theatre, both on and off stage.

All of us in this industry are united by a passion for the arts and love of what we do and this special show is a rare and excellent opportunity to celebrate what’s best in our industry while at the same time celebrating one of its greatest actors and raising vital funds to keep the lifeblood of theatre in this country flowing.”

To enter the free ticket ballot for the show at The Georgian Theatre Royal, please visit the Theatre’s website: www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk