Whilst some prefer to celebrate an 80^th birthday with a dozy domestic knees-up, Sir Ian McKellen has other ideas. Next year sees the multi-award winning actor, fresh from his electrifying performance in King Lear, touring around the country in 80 one-night shows in 80 different theatres. Sir Ian will be simultaneously celebrating his past and breaking new ground. Some venues are old haunts of the octogenarian actor, others entirely new. All profits will be given to charities sponsored by each individual theatre. The act? Himself. An eclectic mix of what McKellen believes are close to his heart and ours, from Gandalf to Shakespeare, gay poetry and favourite anecdotes from a career spanning 60 years.

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Sir Ian will begin his tour in London, hopping across 16 theatres, before heading off around the UK. He aims to be in the Orkneys by August. Tickets are now on sale in theatres across the capital and beyond. Some lucky audience members will be given the chance to tread the boards and act alongside the man himself!

Click here to find out more about the 16 participating London theatres and book tickets.