Critics have been left stunned by the news that Sir Ian McKellen, 86, will open a new production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, featuring an all-trans and non-binary cast.
The Lord of the Rings legend will join the one-night-only rehearsed reading, produced by the theatre collective Trans What You Will, this July.
The performance will be staged at London’s The Space Theatre and livestreamed globally, with all profits donated to the UK-based trans charity Not A Phase.
A description of the event explains that the reimagined version of one of Shakespeare’s most famous gender-fluid plays will explore themes of identity and queerness through a trans lens.
A press release explains: “With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity.
“This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and non-binary artists.”
Director Phoebe Kemp said: “Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance, it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us.
“This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what’s possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the centre of the story.”
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Scheduled just ahead of London Trans+ Pride, the performance is described as “a joyful act of protest and pleasure activism, celebrating gender diversity at a time when trans representation remains under threat.”
However, the announcement has sparked a wave of backlash on social media, with many expressing outrage and even questioning the legality of the decision.
One person wrote on X: “Are they legally allowed to hire only trans actors? Does that not breach the Equality Act?”
Another added: “Are we heading towards a cultural LaLa land? I read English in College & I can’t get my head around it! Why do I have to look for an Ideology behind a Shakespearian play?
“Why can’t I just simply enjoy it, being mindful of the period it was written in??”
A third person chimed in: “Is there anyone or anything the ‘gender thieves’ won’t appropriate, have they no shame,” while another commented: “More taxpayer money wasted on ‘national treasures’ and their silly virtue signalling pet projects, whilst young artists get nothing.”
One user even suggested the decision was perpetuating misogyny, writing: “Okay, but this was written & performed in an era where women were banned from performing on stage, and all of the ‘women’s’ roles were played by men/males in women’s clothing.
“How does this performance make any big difference? It’s just repeating the misogyny.”
However, fans praised the actor for taking part in the project, with one fan writing “Yet another reason Ian Mckellen is a absolute legend.”
While another added: “This is so amazing. Another reason why Ian McKellen is my favourite actor.” (sic)
