When Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen step onto the stage of the National Theatre in November 2024, it won’t just be another interview. It’ll be a quiet revolution — two legends, nearly 90 and 85 years old, reflecting on a partnership that reshaped British theatre. Their 1976 Macbeth wasn’t just a performance; it was a seismic event that still echoes in every actor who dares to tackle Shakespeare today. And now, half a century later, they’re doing it again — not on stage as lovers and killers, but side by side in conversation, hosted by Jim Carter, best known as Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey.
A Partnership Forged in Stratford
Their bond began long before the blood-stained crowns of Macbeth. Dench joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1962; McKellen followed in 1965. By the mid-70s, both were established stars, but it was Trevor Nunn’s raw, intimate production at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon that turned them into icons. Filmed in near-darkness, with minimal sets and explosive emotion, their Macbeth wasn’t spectacle — it was soul. Dench’s Lady Macbeth didn’t just scheme; she unraveled. McKellen’s Macbeth didn’t just kill; he trembled. Critics called it the definitive Shakespearean performance of the century. The production moved to London’s Aldwych Theatre in 1977, sold out for months, and became the stuff of theatrical legend.The Event That Sold Out in Hours
The National Theatre’s event, titled simply Judi Dench & Ian McKellen, was announced with no fanfare — just a listing on their website. Within 72 hours, every seat — 800 of them — vanished. No waitlist. No resale. No second chance. The theatre, located at Upper St Martin’s Lane in London, has hosted countless legends, but few events have vanished so completely. The reason? This isn’t nostalgia. It’s history in real time. These two are among the last living actors who shaped British theatre before television and film fully took over. Their presence on stage — even just talking — feels like witnessing a final chapter.The host, Jim Carter, is no stranger to the spotlight, but his role here is humble: facilitator, not star. He’s spent decades in the same circles, and he knows better than to interrupt. The conversation will likely wander — from the chaos of 1960s rehearsal rooms to the quiet dignity of aging in public. Dench, who has spoken candidly about her diagnosis with macular degeneration, and McKellen, who has been a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights since the 1970s, won’t just talk about acting. They’ll talk about survival.
More Than a Reunion — A Legacy
This isn’t their first reunion. In 2015, they appeared together at London’s Old Vic in a one-night-only event with Rob Brydon. In 2023, they both participated in the RSC’s ‘Tales from TOP’ fundraiser, where they shared the stage with today’s current Macbeth and Lady Macbeth performers. But this National Theatre event is different. It’s the first time they’ve come together under the banner of their own careers — not as supporting players in someone else’s tribute, but as the central figures.What makes this so powerful is what’s unsaid. Dench and McKellen have rarely spoken publicly about their personal relationship. There’s no rivalry, no bitterness — just a quiet, mutual respect that spans generations. They’ve seen each other through marriages, losses, triumphs, and the slow fade of memory. In an industry obsessed with youth, they’re a living rebuke to the idea that greatness expires.
Digital Access — A Gift to the World
While the live event is sold out, the National Theatre has confirmed the performance will be filmed for a future digital release. No date has been announced. No platform named. But the implication is clear: this isn’t meant to be a private moment. It’s meant to be a gift. For students studying Shakespeare. For actors who’ve never seen them perform. For the millions who only know them as M in James Bond or Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. This is their legacy, preserved.And then there’s the quiet irony: Dench and McKellen, two of the most celebrated classical actors of their time, are now becoming cultural artifacts — not because they’ve retired, but because they’re still here. Still speaking. Still choosing to show up.
Why This Matters
In a world where celebrity is fleeting and content is disposable, this event is an act of resistance. It says: some stories aren’t meant to be streamed on demand. Some moments are too precious to be rushed. The fact that the National Theatre — an institution built on the idea that theatre belongs to everyone — is making this available digitally is a quiet triumph. It’s not just about two actors. It’s about what happens when art endures.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this event considered historically significant?
Their 1976–77 Macbeth at The Other Place redefined Shakespearean performance with its raw intimacy and psychological depth, influencing generations of actors. Few stage partnerships have lasted five decades — let alone shaped a national artistic identity. This reunion is the first time they’ve come together solely to reflect on their shared legacy, not as part of a production or charity event.
Will the event be available to watch online?
Yes, the National Theatre has confirmed the event will be filmed for a future digital release, though no platform or date has been announced. This is a deliberate decision to extend access beyond the sold-out live audience, ensuring students, theatre lovers, and international fans can experience the conversation later.
What’s the connection between this event and the Royal Shakespeare Company?
Both Dench and McKellen were foundational members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, joining in the 1960s. Their landmark Macbeth was produced by the RSC at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon. The 2023 ‘Tales from TOP’ fundraiser directly referenced this history, linking past and present performers — making the National Theatre event the natural culmination of that legacy.
How old are Dench and McKellen, and what honors have they received?
As of 2024, Dame Judi Dench is 89 and Sir Ian McKellen is 85. Dench was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1988; McKellen was appointed CBE in 1979 and knighted in 1991. Both hold the highest honors for services to drama and have received numerous international awards, including BAFTAs, Oscars, and Tony Awards.
Is this their last public appearance together?
Neither has said so, but the tone suggests it may be. Both have publicly acknowledged the physical toll of age — Dench with her vision loss, McKellen with his mobility challenges. Yet they continue to work. This event feels like a deliberate, graceful closing of a chapter — not an end, but a final, quiet bow to a half-century of shared art.
Why was the event hosted by Jim Carter?
Carter, a respected stage and screen actor with deep roots in British theatre, is known for his warmth and restraint. He’s not a celebrity interviewer — he’s a peer. His decades-long career in Shakespearean and classical roles makes him uniquely qualified to guide the conversation without overshadowing the two legends. His presence signals respect, not spectacle.
