Sir Ian McKellen is to celebrate his 80th birthday next year by raising funds for theatres, with a new solo show which will play on 80 stages across the UK - including Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s Theatr y Werin.

All profits from the show will benefit specific causes at each theatre.

His intimate show is a mixture of anecdote and acting, including Tolkien, Shakespeare, others... and you, the audience.

Sir Ian said: “I’m celebrating my 80th birthday by touring a new solo show to theatres I know well and a few that I don’t. The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. In-between there will be anecdotes and acting.

"I open at my local arts centre in January and end up by August in Orkney.

"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 National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Prospect Theatre, the Actors’ Company, as well as with commercial productions. Sean Mathias, the director, and I have worked together for stage and screen - many happy times.

"My childhood holidays were usually in north Wales and in the south, I’ve often appeared in Cardiff and Swansea. This will be my first visit to Aberystwyth. Better late than never!

"Profits go to the arts centre’s programme of theatre for young children and families.”

Sir Ian comes to Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Friday, 15 March.