Nelson and McKellen on opening night. Photo: Robert Catto, catto.co.nz Gay British stage and film actor Sir Ian McKellen has proclaimed the Wellington production of Mates and Lovers "very moving," according to the show's author and director. Mates and Lovers, based on the much-praised Chris Brickell history book of the same name, re-enacts the lives and experiences of New Zealand gay men from colonial times until the present. It is being performed in the Capital every evening until this Saturday as part of the cultural festival associated with the 2nd Asia Pacific Out Games. Sir Ian and fellow cast members of The Hobbit, currently filming, turned up for the opening night at Downstage Theatre but was unable to stay for drinks after the show "because he had a 5 AM call to travel to Milford Sound for a Hobbit shoot the next morning," says Ronald Trifero Nelson, who is thrilled at the world-renowned actor and director's reaction to the show. "Sir Ian said Mates and Lovers was 'very moving,'" says Nelson, "and he asked me to thank the performers, Paora and Simon, for 'a wonderful performance'. He added that he particularly enjoyed the movement throughout the show." "He asked me about other seasons for the show. I told him about the Dunedin Fortune season immediately following Wellington's Downstage and he nodded." GayNZ.com understands that McKellen insisted on paying full price for the tickets rather allowing himself to be "comped in" as was offered by the production crew. GayNZ.com Daily News staff - 9th March 2011
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th March 2011 - 1:09pm