British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Ian McKellen

Synopsis
US television interview series hosted by Patrick Watson. The interviewer (Gregory Jackson, uncredited and off-screen) was recorded at the time McKellen was on Broadway playing Salieri in Peter Schaeffer’s Amadeus. McKellen discusses his childhood love of the theatre and the role of acting as a means of self-discovery rather than self concealment. He speaks of his interpretation of the character of Macbeth (in the RSC production with Judi Dench, directed by Trevor Nunn) and how he related his own ambitions and motivations to the role. He speaks on the comic elements in tragedy, and recalls with pleasure that he and Francesca Annis got 24 laughs in the balcony scene in the RSC production of Romeo and Juliet. Beautifully filmed, McKellen’s thoughts are intelligent, contemplative and seductive, giving a memorable account of the relationship between the private individual and the theatrical role.
Series
Signature
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Transmission details
20 Jan 1981 at 19:30 (Channel: CBS Cable)
Duration
16 mins

Credits

Director
Michael Albanese
Producer
Dolores Danska
Contributor
Gregory Jackson; Ian McKellen; Patrick Watson

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Plays
Macbeth
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
acting; Shakespeare, William

Production Company

Name

CBS Cable

Archive

Name

Paley Center for Media

Web
http://www.paleycenter.org/ External site opens in new window
Phone
(212) 621-6600
Address
25 West 52 Street
New York
New York
110019
USA
Notes
Formerly Museum of Television and Radio (MTR). The name changed in 2007.
Name

Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT)

Email
toft@nypl.org
Web
http://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa/theatre-film-and-tape-archive External site opens in new window
Phone
+ 1 (212) 870-1642
Fax
(212) 8701868
Address
Billy Rose Theatre Collection
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York,New York
10023-7498
USA

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 389 times.