THEATRE great Sir Ian McKellen will be working his magic with a new solo show to celebrate his 80th birthday year.

The acclaimed actor of stage and screen will perform in his hometown of Bolton during a tour of 80 stages across the country with which he has personal connections. All profits will benefit specific causes at each theatre.

He will also stop off at Lancaster’s Dukes theatre on May 28, just three days after his actual birthday.

Sir Ian said that as a Lancastrian, touring the country with his new solo show, he wanted to make his debut at The Dukes theatre. "It will be an opportunity to remember my youth as well as act Shakespeare and others, in support of the summer walkabout play in the park.”

Sir Ian last visited The Dukes privately in February 2017 to see one of its homegrown productions, I Was A Wife but has never performed at the Lancaster theatre which is a registered charity. His new intimate show is a mixture of anecdote and acting, including Tolkien, Shakespeare, others - and involving the audience. “The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. In between there will be anecdotes and acting,” explained Sir Ian. “Live theatre has always been thrilling to me, as an actor and in the audience. Growing up in Lancashire, I was grateful to those companies who toured beyond London and I’ve always enjoyed repaying that debt by touring up and down the country myself.”

The show is presented by Ambassador Theatre Group. Executive producer Adam Speers said it was a rare and excellent opportunity to celebrate what’s best in the industry while at the same time celebrating one of its greatest actors and raising vital funds to keep the lifeblood of theatre in the country flowing.”

Dukes box office 01524-598500.