Culture vultures will mark Jul 19 to 22 as historic, as legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen stars in 2 classics- King Lear and The Seagull on the Singapore stage.

In collaboration with the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) and the Esplanade- Theatres by the Bay, both these classics will be presented for a limited season in Singapore; the only Asian destination for the international tour of the productions. The assembly will then go on to wow the crowds in Australia, New Zealand and New York.

Says SRT’s Artistic Director, Mr Gaurav Kripalani, “A big group of friends and I were planning to fly to the UK to watch this production because collaborations of this calibre only come along only once every 15 to 20 years. Instead, to actually be able to bring the 2 shows to Singapore, and be associated with this dream team of the RSC [Royal Shakespeare Company], Trevor Nunn and Ian McKellen is tremendous for SRT.”

Acclaimed as one of Sir William Shakespeare’s greatest plays, King Lear tells a tragic tale based on the true story of the legendary King Lear who ruled Britain until his death alongside his beloved daughter Cordelia. Hope, deceit and betrayal are themes well explored in this tragedy as King Lear explores issues like old age, death, religious belief and endurance.

The Seagull, an Anton Chekhov’s masterwork, weaves comedy and tragedy together in a bid to tell the story of a famed actress, her son and both their lovers. See how the old reminisce wistfully on unfulfilled dreams, while the young strive for their own fulfilment in this not-to-be-missed production.

The timelessly brilliant plots aside, who wouldn’t be tempted to watch The Lord of the Rings’s Gandalf take on the challenging role of King Lear himself? Seize this chance to see Sir Ian, who has also been involved in movies like the X-Men trilogy and The Da Vinci Code, display his prowess on stage and understand why UK paper The Mail on Sunday (UK) dubs him as “one of the leading creative artists of our time”.

The 2-time Oscar nominee will be leading a 23-strong cast including actors like William Gaunt, Jonathan Hyde, Frances Barber and the beautiful Romola Garai who acted in Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights.

 

Directed by the famous Trevor Nunn, who made Charles Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby brilliant, the play looks set to be a smash. So unless you plan on flying to London, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch the masters at work!

 

Ticketing details:

Date: 19 to 22 Jul
Time Evening performances 8pm and weekend matinee at 2pm (refer to detailed schedule)
Prices: From $30 to $300
Venue: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Call Sistic at 6348 5555 for advance booking, or go to www.sistic.com.sg for online booking.

Detailed schedule:

Thu Jul 19       8pm evening    King Lear       (with Ian McKellen)

Fri   Jul 20      8pm evening     King Lear       (with Ian McKellen)

Sat  Jul 21      8pm evening     King Lear       (with Ian McKellen)

Sun Jul 22      2pm matinee    The Seagull    (with William Gaunt)

Sun Jul 22      8pm evening     The Seagull    (with Ian McKellen)