Frank and Percy, The Other Palace Theatre

It's undoubtedly the star billing that makes Ben Weatherill's play about two elderly gentlemen whose friendship blossoms into romance over long dog walks on Hampstead Heath such an enticing prospect. The indomitable Ian McKellen plays Percy, the proudly single, openly gay half of the duo. Roger Allam (The Moderate Soprano, Rutherford and Son) plays the widowed Frank, who before meeting Percy identified as straight.

The production transfers to Off West End venue The Other Palace this autumn, following its premiere at the Theatre Royal Windsor, home to most of McKellen's recent stage work.

Ian McKellen and Roger Allam in Frank and Percy. Photo: Jack Merriman

The play reunites the actors with each other and also director Sean Mathias. The trio worked together on a production of Aladdin at the Old Vic in the early noughties.

It seems there's no slowing down for McKellen, who in 2019 celebrated turning 80 by touring a one-man show, regaling audiences with anecdotes from his life on stage and screen. Last winter he reminded us he's not above a pantomime either, performing in Mother Goose in the West End and in tour.

Frank and Percy is another chance for audiences to see the seasoned star live on stage.