Sir Ian McKellen Joins Groundbreaking Trans-Led Take On “Twelfth Night”
What happens when a queer classic gets reclaimed by the people who’ve lived its themes the most? On 25 July 2025, a new theatre company, Trans What You Will, will make its debut with a rehearsed reading of Twelfth Night. And, yes, Sir Ian McKellen is involved.
Ian McKellen (b. 25 May 1939), British cultural icon and champion of LGBT social movements worldwide pic.twitter.com/YjMlqQBDjt
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The production will take place at The Space Theatre in London, just ahead of London Trans Pride, and will also stream online for those who want to tune in globally. It’s a one-night-only affair, but its impact could be longer-lasting.
McKellen Returns to Shakespeare, With a Twist
Sir Ian McKellen, a titan of Shakespearean theatre and lifelong LGBTQIA+ rights champion, will open the evening. He just turned 86 on 25 May, adding even more legacy to a performance that’s as political as it is playful. Known for taking on roles like Macbeth and King Lear, McKellen’s presence bridges old-world theatre royalty with a new generation of talent demanding room centre stage.
Happy 86th birthday to the icon that is Ian Mckellen ! pic.twitter.com/DnkW2AKsK2
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“This reading is about joy, solidarity, and showing what’s possible when trans and non-binary artists are at the centre of the story,” says director Phoebe Kemp (they/them), who is leading the project.
A Play That Already Queers the Norm
Viola, the lead character, disguises herself as a man, triggering all kinds of romantic confusion and layered self-discovery. For a cast and creative team made up entirely of trans and non-binary performers, it’s not just appropriate, it’s deeply personal.
“Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance,” adds Kemp. “It feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us.”
A spokesperson for Trans What You Will says this version will “make the queerness explicit” by reclaiming the story through lived trans experiences.
All profits from the evening will go to Not A Phase, a UK-based organisation supporting trans and gender-diverse people.
The production arrives during heated debates about trans rights globally. Rather than shy away, Trans What You Will celebrates trans excellence front and centre. They’re not asking for permission. They’re claiming their space.
