Sir Ian McKellen Set To Open ‘Twelfth Night’ Adaptation With All Trans & Non-Binary Cast

Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen is set to open Trans What You Will’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, starring an all-trans and nonbinary cast. 

“Twelfth Night is perhaps the funniest and most moving of Shakespeare’s plays,” he said in a statement to the Trans What You Will Theater, posted on Instagram. “This is achieved through the complexity of gender and sexuality from first to last. I’m really looking forward to the impact of this latest version of the play at The Space. I hope to see you there!”

There have been mixed reviews about his role as opener, as well as the concept of an all-trans and nonbinary cast. 

“Nothing says ‘inclusivity’ as all the production being trans or nonbinary, right? Imagine making an ‘all straight people’ production and being proud of it,” wrote one person on X. 

Under the Trans What You Will Theater’s Instagram post, people have a positive outlook on the casting choice. 

One user commented, “This is SO IMPORTANT 🥺 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️.”

Another said, “Ahhh, this is incredible!! Congrats!!”

Sir Ian came out as gay in a BBC radio interview in 1988 and has been a hard-working ally of the LGBTQ community ever since, especially in the realm of performing arts. He was even knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1991 for his services in the performing arts, then went on to be appointed a Companion of Honour in 2008. 

He stirred up drama, though, when he admitted in an interview with the Times of London that Queen Elizabeth II was “quite rude” when he met her. 

Sir Ian said that Queen Elizabeth II got under his skin when she said, “Does anyone still actually go to the theater?” while giving him the Medal of Honor. 

“That’s bloody rude when you’re giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f— about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’” he said. 

The Twelfth Night adaptation will be performed on July 25, and the cast list will be announced soon.