McKellen is a kind theatrical wizard

NICK CURTIS’S five-star review of

Sir Ian McKellen’s “showcase of an extraordinary career” (October 3) is spot on.

One of the many London theatres he appeared at during his tour was The Questors Theatre in Ealing — a venue he used to visit early in his career, and so holds many happy memories for him.

Not only was the appropriately named Judi Dench Playhouse packed to the rafters for his mesmerising one-man show, raising thousands of pounds in ticket sales, but in the foyer afterwards Sir Ian rattled a collection bucket and charged £5 for every selfie, securing even more donations.

To deliver such a theatrical tour de force and at the same time raise more than £3 million for 86 theatres across the nation is without a doubt one of the most generous contributions to culture seen in recent years.

And to perform it at the age of 80 makes one wonder if Sir Ian really is the ultimate ageless theatrical wizard.

Robert Gordon Clark