Ian McKellen’s age-blind Hamlet faces setbacks as two key actors drop out days before opening

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ian McKellen’s age-blind version of Hamlet has faced further setbacks after two lead actors dropped out days before opening night. The Mail on Sunday now reports that two of the show’s primary actors have now dropped out of the show after clashes in rehearsals that reportedly left McKellen “under strain” and “in tears”. The fact that neither of them are in the production at the moment is to do with other reasons.” Mathiaso said that Berkoff had dropped out due to schedule “clashes” and that, as the same company will also appear in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard later this year, “it seemed wiser to let him go now and bring someone else in”. It’s been 50 years since McKellen last played Hamlet on stage, first performing the role in a UK and European tour with Prospect Theatre Company in 1971.