Sir Ian McKellen to open all trans and non-binary production of Shakespeare play

It's a one-night-only experience

The 86-year-old has joined an all-new company known as Trans What You Will for a special one-off reading of the play to be exclusively directed by and starring trans and non-binary actors.

"Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance—it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us," shared director Phoebe Kemp, who leads the production.

"This reading is about joy, solidarity, and showing what's possible when trans and non-binary artists are at the centre of the story."

As for the romantic tale itself, which was first performed in 1602, Twelfth Night sees protagonist Viola surviving a shipwreck before disguising herself as a man.

"With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity," said a Trans What You Will spokesperson.

"This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and non-binary artists."

All profits from the evening are being donated to Not a Phase, the UK-based charity supporting the lives of trans and gender-diverse people.

Throughout his 60-year career, he's played Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, and most recently, King Lear on the boards.