In a groundbreaking move that merges the timelessness of Shakespeare with the urgency of contemporary LGBTQ+ representation, Sir Ian McKellen will take the stage this summer in a one-night-only production of Twelfth Night featuring an all-trans and nonbinary cast.

The 86-year-old acting legend, best known for his iconic roles in The Lord of the Rings and X-Men franchises, will join the innovative theatre group Trans What You Will for a staged reading of Shakespeare’s gender-fluid comedy on July 25, 2025. The performance will be held at The Space Theatre in East London and livestreamed globally for audiences around the world.

A Queer Reimagining of a Shakespeare Classic

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night has long played with themes of gender, identity, and love in all its forms. With its classic elements of mistaken identity, cross-dressing, and fluid romantic entanglements, the play has become a favorite among queer audiences and scholars alike.

Now, Trans What You Will seeks to reclaim the story through an explicitly trans and nonbinary lens—recasting the Bard’s vision through lived queer experience.

“This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists,” a press release from the theatre group stated. “With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity.”

By placing trans and nonbinary performers at the center of the narrative, the production becomes both a celebration and a protest—a vibrant act of visibility in a time when trans rights and representation are increasingly under threat across the UK and globally.

McKellen Joins Forces With Trans Creators

Sir Ian McKellen’s involvement adds gravitas and visibility to the project. A long-time LGBTQ+ rights advocate, McKellen came out publicly in 1988 and has spent decades using his platform to promote queer visibility in the arts.

Phoebe Kemp, who is directing the reading, emphasized the symbolic and emotional significance of the production.

“Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance—it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us,” Kemp said. “This reading is about joy, solidarity, and showing what’s possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the center of the story.”

Kemp described the event as “a joyful act of protest and pleasure activism,” intentionally aligning the reading with the themes of celebration and resistance that define Pride season. The show will take place just ahead of London Trans+ Pride, further cementing its role as a beacon of empowerment for the trans and nonbinary community.

Supporting Trans Lives Through Art

All profits from the production will be donated to Not A Phase, a UK-based charity dedicated to uplifting the lives of trans adults through community outreach, education, and support services. The organization works closely with grassroots movements to offer resources and build safer, more inclusive spaces.

Ticketing has been made accessible through a pay-what-you-can model, reinforcing the group’s commitment to inclusivity. Both in-person and livestream tickets are now available through The Space Theatre’s official site.

This global broadcast aims to open the performance to trans and queer viewers far beyond London, extending the event’s reach to those in regions where queer representation remains limited or under attack.

A Theatrical Act of Resistance

The announcement of this performance arrives at a politically charged time for LGBTQ+ people in the UK. Recent policies and legal rulings—such as those affecting access to healthcare, public facilities, and media representation for trans individuals—have spurred backlash and renewed calls for trans-inclusive storytelling.

“This is more than just theatre,” said Kemp. “It’s a statement about the kind of world we want to live in—one where trans and nonbinary people are celebrated, not silenced.”

For many involved, Twelfth Night – A Rehearsed Reading isn’t just a reinterpretation of Shakespeare—it’s a testament to how classical works can evolve to reflect contemporary truths. It’s also a reminder that trans joy and creativity are as enduring as any literary canon.

Representation That Matters

By centering trans and nonbinary performers in one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and gender-fluid plays, Trans What You Will offers a rare but vital moment of inclusion on the professional stage. It challenges long-standing norms in classical theatre and invites audiences—queer and otherwise—to reimagine what inclusive storytelling can look like.

While McKellen’s star power brings widespread attention to the project, the spotlight remains firmly on the community it aims to celebrate.

“Seeing ourselves in these roles, on this stage, changes everything,” said one performer involved in the production. “It’s not just about representation. It’s about liberation.”

Tickets for both the in-person and online events are now available via The Space Theatre website. Viewers are encouraged to reserve early, as demand is expected to be high, especially with McKellen’s involvement and the production’s relevance during Pride season.