On February 4, acclaimed actor Ian McKellen appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to discuss an urgent topic: the mistreatment and dehumanization of immigrants. During the nearly 30-minute interview, McKellen highlighted a rare but significant moment in his career involving a Shakespeare performance that resonates deeply today, underlining the enduring relevance of the playwright’s words in addressing societal tensions.
Reviving a Historic Shakespeare Role Amid Contemporary Strife
McKellen revealed that he is one of the few living actors to have originated a role in a Shakespearean play, despite Shakespeare’s death over four centuries ago. The role, Thomas More, comes from the play Sir Thomas More, which Shakespeare contributed to but was never staged during his lifetime due to its politically sensitive content. The play finally premiered in 1964, marking 400 years since Shakespeare’s birth, with McKellen playing the title character at the Nottingham Playhouse.
“Shakespeare wrote many plays, 37 of them by himself, but he also contributed to other people’s shows. And one of the speeches he wrote, for a play called Sir Thomas More has been preserved, and it’s the only sample of his actual handwriting of some of the words of a play by him,”
McKellen explained passionately.
“The play was never performed during Shakespeare’s lifetime, because it was thought to be a bit seditious. It had its actual premiere on stage in 1964, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, and I played Thomas More, so you are looking at a man who created a part by William Shakespeare.”
Performing a Powerful Speech on Immigrants and Humanity
Encouraged by the audience’s enthusiastic response, McKellen agreed to perform the speech live on the show, more than six decades after first delivering it on stage. The scene he recited takes place during a riot in London where citizens angrily demand immigrants be expelled. Shakespeare’s Thomas More, addressing this unrest, combines strict legal reasoning with a passionate appeal to empathy and human dignity.
“It’s all happening 400 years ago. In London, there’s a riot happening. There’s a mob out in the streets and they’re complaining about the presence of strangers in London, by which they mean immigrants who’ve arrived there. And they’re shouting and complaining and saying that the immigrants should be sent back home, wherever they came from. And the authorities send out this young lawyer, Thomas More, to put down the riot, which he does in two ways. One, by saying that ‘you can’t riot like this. It’s against the law. So, shut up, be quiet’. And also, being by Shakespeare, with an appeal to their humanity.”
McKellen’s commanding delivery, with fierce gaze and clear urgency, captivated the audience and host Stephen Colbert alike. By the conclusion, the standing ovation and Colbert’s emotional embrace highlighted the speech’s powerful message against intolerance and fear.
Why This Shakespearean Moment Matters Today
Through his Ian McKellen Shakespeare performance, McKellen rekindled attention on themes of compassion and the dangers of dehumanization, issues still deeply relevant in contemporary debates around immigration. His revival of the rarely seen role of Thomas More serves as a reminder of the enduring capacity of Shakespeare’s work to speak to modern audiences, encouraging reflection on justice and humanity amid social unrest. This performance has renewed appreciation for McKellen’s unique contributions as both a stage and screen legend and one of the few living actors to bring an original Shakespearean character to life.
