HE HAS played Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings” and Magneto in “X-Men”, as well as everything from lots of Shakespeare roles to Coronation Street.

And now Sir Ian McKellen will be live on stage at Newtown in the New Year.

Hi major solo show “Ian McKellen on Stage” will be on a massive tour from January to August next year to celebrate the great actor’s 80th birthday with the Newtown show’s profits gong towards a new hearing loop for the Hafren theatre.

“My childhood holidays were usually in North Wales and in the South. I’ve often appeared in Cardiff and Swansea. This will be my first visit to Mid Wales. Better late than never!” said Sir Ian.

“Live theatre has always been thrilling to me, as an actor and in the audience.

“Growing up in Lancashire, I was grateful to those companies who toured beyond London and I’ve always enjoyed repaying that debt by touring up and down the country myself, with the RSC, the National Theatre, Prospect Theatre, the Actors’ Company, as well as with commercial productions.

“I’m celebrating my 80th birthday by touring a new solo show to theatres I know well and a few that I don’t.

“The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. In between there will be anecdotes and acting. I open at my local arts centre in January and end up by August in Orkney,” added Sir Ian.