Sir Ian McKellen reflects on his recent roles

The professional reviews were already in, but the notice that seemed to strike Sir Ian McKellen most meaningfully came from a 10-year-old who had just seen him as King Lear.

[JohnInToronto]

Is it my imagination or does it seem like a large proportion of 20th and 21st century male Shakespeareans are/were gay or bi? I am thinking of Gielgud and Olivier besides him.

[nhjeff]

JohnInToronto wrote:

Is it my imagination or does it seem like a large proportion of 20th and 21st century male Shakespeareans are/were gay or bi? I am thinking of Gielgud and Olivier besides him.

Must be your imagination. Must also be your imagination that many chorus boys are gay (in church as well as on Broadway).

[RalphB]

JohnInToronto wrote:

Is it my imagination or does it seem like a large proportion of 20th and 21st century male Shakespeareans are/were gay or bi? I am thinking of Gielgud and Olivier besides him.

Well, if you want to deal in stereotypes......maybe it's because we are all so much brighter, talented, and interesting than our straight counter-parts.

[JohnInToronto]

RalphB wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, if you want to deal in stereotypes......maybe it's because we are all so much brighter, talented, and interesting than our straight counter-parts.

Or are the strasight boys afraid of Shakespeare?:)

[JohnInToronto]

I'd love to see Sir Ian as Lear, BTW.

[RalphB]

JohnInToronto wrote:

<quoted text>
Or are the strasight boys afraid of Shakespeare?:)

Straight boys are afraid of anything their mommy tells them to be.

and the stereotypes continue :)