If you visit London you almost certainly plan on spending an evening at the theatre. But be prepared; upwards of HK$300 might buy you a cramped seat with only a partial view of the stage. And now a leading actor has snubbed the city's paying public.
Sir Ian McKellen, one of Britain's finest and best-known classical actors, announced last week he would no longer perform in the capital because he was disillusioned with the audience.
A key figure in performances at the Royal National Theatre for the past two decades, Sir Ian voiced his dissatisfaction with the standard of those who paid to see him. 'In London you don't know where the audience lives or where they are coming from,' he said.
Despite having reaped rewards as one of Britain's most respected players in an industry increasingly supported by visitors who pay top prices, Sir Ian said he was fed up with performing in front of foreigners.
'Who are you playing to at the Olivier Theatre [The Royal National Theatre's largest auditorium]? Do they even speak the language,' he said in a widely-publicised interview carried in the national press.
Theatre managers have been embarrassed by Sir Ian's outburst and pointed out plenty of other actors are grateful for the opportunity of performing in London.
