AN actor best known for his Shakespearean performances and for his role as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings has launched a new fundraising campaign for Richmond's historic theatre.

Sir Ian McKellen, who performed his 80th birthday solo show at the Georgian Theatre Royal on Friday, launched the major new fundraising campaign to raise £150,000 a year over the next four years.

Built in 1788, the Georgian Theatre Royal occupies a unique and special place in theatrical history as the oldest working theatre in its original form in the UK.

Today, as well as hosting a full and varied programme of live performances, it attracts thousands of visitors who take guided tours of the Grade 1 listed building.

The theatre’s new A Living Theatre Campaign aims to ensure the future of the playhouse and see it flourish as a community resource of creative excellence by seeking to raise £150,000 per annum from individual supporters over the next four years.

The culmination of the campaign in 2023 has been timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the theatre’s re-opening, following more than 200 years of closure when it was converted for other uses, including a wine store and auction house.

Theatre chief executive Clare Allen said: “Even with full houses every night and income from our heritage tours, it is not possible to meet the rising costs of running, repairing and maintaining the historic building from money alone that we can generate.

“The renowned actor manager Samuel Butler opened his theatre in Richmond in 1788 but 60 years later it was forced to close due to a decline in income. As the theatre approaches the 60th anniversary of its 1963 re-opening, we are determined not to let history repeat itself.

“We are therefore asking people to give to our campaign so together we can preserve this theatrical gem as part of the nation’s cultural heritage. We are incredibly grateful to Sir Ian for giving his whole-hearted backing to this worthwhile cause."

Sir Ian's 80th birthday tour has been organised to benefit specific causes at each theatre.

Ian McKellen on Stage – Tolkien, Shakespeare, others and you! takes in 80 theatres with which he has personal connections, including amateur groups he knew as a child and notable playhouses he has played in as a professional actor.

He said: “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 delighted to be back in the country’s oldest working theatre, whose intimacy suits my new solo show of anecdote and acting. All profits are to benefit this precious theatre.”

To support the A Living Theatre Campaign visit www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk or call the theatre box office on 01748-823710.