Sir Ian McKellen has been named the most influential person in UK theatre.
The experienced actor topped the 100-strong Power List put together by industry magazine The Stage, beating major players such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Sonia Friedman.
Other big names featured in the list include National Theatre chiefs Rufus Norris and Lisa Burger, producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Jamie Lloyd — who is bringing actresses Emilia Clarke and Jessica Chastain to the West End in separate shows this year.
Sir Ian, who played Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings films, was praised for his one-man show which saw him play the West End and dozens of regional venues, raising more than £4 million for struggling theatres and charities in the process.
The tour started at The Space, his local arts centre on the Isle of Dogs, and finished at Orkney Theatre before a West End run that finishes on Sunday.
The 80-year-old actor said: “It’s been a joyful year taking my show to 87 theatres up and down the country and meeting audiences of all ages, who relish live theatre as much as I do.”
He added: “All profits have stayed with the local theatres and finally, at the Harold Pinter Theatre, we’ve contributed to national theatre charities from the National Youth Theatre to Denville Hall, where old colleagues end their days.”
