I think if I were asked to do as many as fifty takes, I would assume the director had no idea what… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
In the theatre, the actor is in total control. The director wasn't in the house last night, the designer wasn't there, the… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm not being offered a constant stream of wonderful parts with wonderful directors that would keep me away from the theatre. When… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The performance is created by the director. The actor is the material. And I think that has to be true. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
When you're on stage with an audience, the director's nowhere to be seen. He's onto the next job. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
If you're sounding right, you're probably walking right, and vice versa. If you get the footwork right - if you get even… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm not experienced enough, or certain enough of my acting on the screen to say to a director, "You are wrong, I… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
There are directors, and I think this is true of all directors, it would be true if I was a director -… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Some directors don't tell you that it's not your fault, so you get increasingly depressed that you're not delivering what's required, and… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's all laid… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: 'I'm waiting to win the lottery. I'm waiting to fall in love'.… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
I'm only an actor. I'm not a writer. I'm not going to leave any legacy. All I've ever done is learn the lines and… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
I'd never read 'Lord of the Rings' until I was asked to play Gandalf, so I didn't really know it was a frightfully famous… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
The strength of British theatre should be that these actors in their middle years know what they're doing and are good at it. Not… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Elijah looks angelic but his beauty of spirit is what makes his Frodo leap out of the screen. Unalloyed goodness is one of the… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
When I appeared in 'Coronation Street,' I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only when people… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
