Orange Tree Theatre has announced that Ian McKellen will return to the stage for a rare and intimate show celebrating his extraordinary life in theatre.
A mixture of conversation and performance, this brand-new limited run – Stories, Stage & Shakespeare – is an unmissable event, created to raise vital funds for the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. All proceeds will help continue the wide-ranging work the OT does on and off stage, from productions and community and education programmes to the exciting improvements ahead through their upcoming capital project. This support will strengthen their work with audiences in their local area and beyond.
This special event will be staged at Richmond Theatre for three performances only on 10 and 11 January 2026.
Ian McKellen said today, “The Orange Tree is a wonderfully small, intimate theatre where exciting productions happen. They’re renovating the front of house to get rid of all those dreadful stairs. So, I wanted to help fundraise for not only that, but their productions and work outside of the theatre with schools.”
OT Artistic Director Tom Littler added, “We’re thrilled and deeply touched that Ian has chosen to create this event in support of the Orange Tree. His generosity – and the generosity of Richmond Theatre in hosting us – arrives at a transformative moment for us, as we reimagine our building and expand the work we can do on and off stage. It’s a celebration of what makes our theatre unique, and a tremendous boost to our future.”
On Sunday 11 January, a small number of VIP tickets are available, guests will join an intimate VIP reception at Scott’s Richmond with Sir Ian McKellen after the performance. Scott’s will serve champagne and canapés as guests meet Ian and celebrate this remarkable evening in support of the Orange Tree Theatre. These VIP tickets are extremely limited, and bookings can be made directly through the Orange Tree Theatre.
On sale for OT Members and Patrons opens Wednesday 17 December at 10am, with ATG+ Members on sale on Thursday 18 December at 10am. General on sale opens Friday 19 December at 10am.
Orange Tree Theatre 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA
Box Office: 020 8940 3633
Richmond Theatre 1 Little Green, Richmond, TW9 1QJ
Box Office: 0844 871 7677
Performance Dates and Times:
10 January – 11 January 2026
10 January: 2pm and 7pm
11 January: 5pm
Tickets from £20
SEASON AT A GLANCE
ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND 18 December – 22 December
STORIES, STAGE & SHAKESPEARE Hosted by Richmond Theatre
10 January – 11 January 2026
DANCE OF DEATH 31 January – 7 March
OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 20 February at 7:30pm
VINCENT IN BRIXTON
14 March – 18 April
OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 3 April at 7:30pm
SHAKESPEARE UP CLOSE – MACBETH AND ROMEO AND JULIET
ABOUT THE ORANGE TREE THEATRE
We are a local theatre with a global reputation.
A show at the Orange Tree is close-up magic: live, entertaining, unmissable. We’re an intimate theatre with the audience wrapped around the stage. We believe in celebrating what it means to be human. We believe in putting people at the centre of the stories we tell. And we believe in the power of a writer’s words, an actor’s voice, and an audience’s imagination to transport us to other worlds and other lives.
We punch above our weight to create world-class productions of new and contemporary drama, revitalise classics and re-discoveries, and introduce children and young people to the magic of theatre.
We are deeply rooted in our local community in South West London. We work with thousands of people aged 0 to 100 in Richmond and beyond through participatory theatre, bringing generations together to build confidence, connection, and joy. Our groundbreaking Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close projects pack the theatre with children and ignite a spark to last a lifetime.
We’re a registered charity (266128). With only 180 seats and no support from Arts Council England, we rely on the generosity of our audiences and donors to raise £650,000 a year. These funds support our outstanding work on stage and in the community and invest in the next generation of talent.
The Orange Tree was named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards in 2025.
Artistic Director Tom Littler
Executive Director Julie Weston
