Actually, this show dates to some years earlier. I know, because I'd had the great good-fortune of being among the studio audiences for one of performances which took place at CBS Studios, on NYC's West 57th St, in the fall of 1981. Recorded over 3 consecutive nights, the video footage was edited into this single performance which was later broadcast, on PBS, the following year. As a young actor, fresh out of grad school, my then-wife and I had just moved to NYC, at the end of August, 1981. A dear friend and former acting teacher of ours, who was then heading up the MFA Directing Program at Columbia University, had received 4 tix to one of those performances, which he'd shared with us, and we accompanied him and his wife. This show introduce my ex and I to McKellen (whom we'd know nothing of, previously) and it was truly an eye-opening inspiration for us both! In fact, I still have my program from the CBS performance which we'd attended.
If you think this is good, I saw him for his 80th birthday tour where her recited a bit form every Shakespeare play, spoke about his life, Tolkien and so much more. It was like this but with 30 plus years more experience… I feel seriously lucky to have seen him ☺️
He was, and is, amazing, and his passion for Shakespeare's work shines through in every word. I remember seeing this in 1985 or so, and it ignited my love of Shakespeare. I've been searching for it ever since. Thank you so much for posting it.
The greatest performer of a time, Ian McKellen; not only genius but superfluously sharp and steady and structured. In a world that doesn't know perfection, McKellen competitively pursued perfection in each word spoken on-and-off the stage.
THANKS for posting this treasure! For the record, it's from 1982. I was blessed to see him on Broadway in 2019, doing a very comparable show, also working in readings from Tolkien. 37 years later, he was just as delightful.
I'm about to wrap up rehearsals for my second "Shakey in the Park" and after watching this I'm having serious doubts over how I've been doing literally everything to this point lol
I am supremely happy never to haven know that this existed, because I'm about to enjoy it for the very first time in all its glory. And twenty minutes in already, glorious it certainly is.
This is the sort of acting I always loved but have seen less and less throughout the years, until eventually I became disenchanted with theatre and turned to opera. We should not lose this; this is wonderful, this is exciting, this is thrilling, this is emotional, this is when the actors became bigger-than-life so that, when we went to the theatre, we knew we were going to watch something unique, different, special. It wasn't a stage but a dream, the characters - though real they may be, recogniseable their traits they may be - were much larger than themselves, utterly unlike the world shut outside the theatre doors, and yet so much like our neighbours sitting beside us in wonderment. GODS, I missed this experience.
@@willgrowdon9775 Hard question to answer on the fly, and if I start recommending "anything by so-and-so singer" I'm liable to spark contention. :) It depends on what you want to get from the experience. Still, since this started with me saying how I loved Ian McKellen's performance, I can say that the sort of performances I enjoy in opera are Grace Bumbry (her Amneris in Aida is legendary, and everything else is the stuff of myths), Franco Corelli for sheer intensity and passion, Pavarotti for a subtler, more lyrical type of passion, Renata Scotto for amazing theatrics. Here, I know. Look for "Senza mamma, o bimbo" by Renata Scotto here in RUclips, the version with subtitles. Read the description to have a vague idea of what's going on. That'd be my recommendation. Then you can check out Bumbry's "Habanera" or "Les tringles (Gypsy Song) from Carmen. Then I'd say you'd be started. :)
Would this be strange to William Shakespeare? For one the words were pronounced a little differently... and though this is passionate, we wonder what Shakespeare preferred in terms of tone and did he like his actors to be more natural..!
As one who has worked exclusively with late Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre for 30’years (as a director, performer and lecturer) I have to say that this is nonsense. Best wishes.
There are moments in this that I really enjoy and then SUDDENLY THERE IS THAT POWERFUL VOICE THAT SEEMS TO BE DECLARING TO ALL THE WORLD!!!!!! We are so spoiled by TV and film and intimate and/or miced live productions that allow for ultra-realism.... And to remember this is early '80s... That being said, I've seen so many of Shakespeare's plays done incredibly well in outdoor venues without the OVERBEARING PROJECTION AS IF TO THE FAR, FAR REACHES OF THE AMPHITHEATRE!!!!!! I know Shakespeare can be done without invoking THE SHAKESPEAREAN VOICE!!!! (But... what do I know...?)
I have been searching for this the day RUclips was launched. And gave up trying . Until now, out of the blue. FA, Yay!
And I , as well!
Who [uploads] love, collects happiness. Thank you!
He is so good .. its scary... To be up on the stage with so much confidence and remembering every word
This man is the reason I want to learn more about Shakespeare!
Masterpiece! A New Renaissance is about to begin thanks to the internet. A Civilisation is born.
Thanks for sharing.
Actually, this show dates to some years earlier. I know, because I'd had the great good-fortune of being among the studio audiences for one of performances which took place at CBS Studios, on NYC's West 57th St, in the fall of 1981. Recorded over 3 consecutive nights, the video footage was edited into this single performance which was later broadcast, on PBS, the following year. As a young actor, fresh out of grad school, my then-wife and I had just moved to NYC, at the end of August, 1981. A dear friend and former acting teacher of ours, who was then heading up the MFA Directing Program at Columbia University, had received 4 tix to one of those performances, which he'd shared with us, and we accompanied him and his wife. This show introduce my ex and I to McKellen (whom we'd know nothing of, previously) and it was truly an eye-opening inspiration for us both! In fact, I still have my program from the CBS performance which we'd attended.
If you think this is good, I saw him for his 80th birthday tour where her recited a bit form every Shakespeare play, spoke about his life, Tolkien and so much more. It was like this but with 30 plus years more experience… I feel seriously lucky to have seen him ☺️
He was, and is, amazing, and his passion for Shakespeare's work shines through in every word. I remember seeing this in 1985 or so, and it ignited my love of Shakespeare. I've been searching for it ever since. Thank you so much for posting it.
I attended a performance of Acting Shakespeare nearly 40 years ago. This brings back wonderful memories...
The greatest performer of a time, Ian McKellen; not only genius but superfluously sharp and steady and structured. In a world that doesn't know perfection, McKellen competitively pursued perfection in each word spoken on-and-off the stage.
That takes performing, acting on a whole different level..
Elizabeth Olsen brought me here..she had a crush on him because of this.
Same haha
Yes lol
THANKS for posting this treasure! For the record, it's from 1982. I was blessed to see him on Broadway in 2019, doing a very comparable show, also working in readings from Tolkien. 37 years later, he was just as delightful.
Says 1989 in the description but I recall it from the early 80s too not late 80s
@@EmperorNerox title in the end of the record says 1982.
What the hell? He was 50 years old in this performance!? Sir Ian scientifically ages like fine wine.
He is such a pro, one of the best actors ever ❤
Absolutely brilliant, especially in Macbeth
I am so thrilled to find this. I was there the day this was filmed, and seeing it again brings back great memories. Thank you!
RUclips needs an envy button. If I had a time machine this would be in my top twenty places to go!
I'm about to wrap up rehearsals for my second "Shakey in the Park" and after watching this I'm having serious doubts over how I've been doing literally everything to this point lol
Love this! To be taught Shakespeare by young Gandalf! ❤️
Ian is so god dang beautiful
I am supremely happy never to haven know that this existed, because I'm about to enjoy it for the very first time in all its glory. And twenty minutes in already, glorious it certainly is.
thx million for sharing!
Thank you for posting this - a complete joy from beginning to end!
This is the sort of acting I always loved but have seen less and less throughout the years, until eventually I became disenchanted with theatre and turned to opera. We should not lose this; this is wonderful, this is exciting, this is thrilling, this is emotional, this is when the actors became bigger-than-life so that, when we went to the theatre, we knew we were going to watch something unique, different, special. It wasn't a stage but a dream, the characters - though real they may be, recogniseable their traits they may be - were much larger than themselves, utterly unlike the world shut outside the theatre doors, and yet so much like our neighbours sitting beside us in wonderment.
GODS, I missed this experience.
what operas would you recommend?
@@willgrowdon9775 Hard question to answer on the fly, and if I start recommending "anything by so-and-so singer" I'm liable to spark contention. :) It depends on what you want to get from the experience. Still, since this started with me saying how I loved Ian McKellen's performance, I can say that the sort of performances I enjoy in opera are Grace Bumbry (her Amneris in Aida is legendary, and everything else is the stuff of myths), Franco Corelli for sheer intensity and passion, Pavarotti for a subtler, more lyrical type of passion, Renata Scotto for amazing theatrics.
Here, I know. Look for "Senza mamma, o bimbo" by Renata Scotto here in RUclips, the version with subtitles. Read the description to have a vague idea of what's going on. That'd be my recommendation. Then you can check out Bumbry's "Habanera" or "Les tringles (Gypsy Song) from Carmen. Then I'd say you'd be started. :)
Thank you❤
Rejoice... Ian & Shakespeare...
The GOAT
Good
31:20 - 34:25 henry VI, act 3 scene 2
1:13:07 - 1:22:11
Wow
Blast of war...his eyes turns black
9:23 He just did a Maggie Smith impersonation .
Sir Mckellen is really brilliant.
How do you do that
This is from 1982 not 1989.
6:40
58:06
Wait, he was a young lad?
14:12
Why so few views?
Would this be strange to William Shakespeare?
For one the words were pronounced a little differently... and though this is passionate, we wonder what Shakespeare preferred in terms of tone and did he like his actors to be more natural..!
gandalf
Modern times lack refined and curious minds. Theatre, Shakespeare is not cool )))
Haha. Theatre and Shakespeare are still quite relevant and used in many spheres of society... more than some would like to admit.
@@allisonw439 I was trying to reply to a comment about why there are so little views )
His Shakespeare is hammy as hell and typifies everything wrong with Shakespeare performance
As one who has worked exclusively with late Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre for 30’years (as a director, performer and lecturer) I have to say that this is nonsense.
Best wishes.
There are moments in this that I really enjoy and then SUDDENLY THERE IS THAT POWERFUL VOICE THAT SEEMS TO BE DECLARING TO ALL THE WORLD!!!!!! We are so spoiled by TV and film and intimate and/or miced live productions that allow for ultra-realism.... And to remember this is early '80s... That being said, I've seen so many of Shakespeare's plays done incredibly well in outdoor venues without the OVERBEARING PROJECTION AS IF TO THE FAR, FAR REACHES OF THE AMPHITHEATRE!!!!!! I know Shakespeare can be done without invoking THE SHAKESPEAREAN VOICE!!!! (But... what do I know...?)