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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Mark Brown North of England correspondent

Ian McKellen ‘emotional’ as he opens County Durham theatre space

Ian McKellen holds his arms wide as he holds scissors and is about to cut a long red ribbon. He looks as if he is cheering. Three actors in black sweatshirts stand behind him smiling.
‘This fulfils all my romantic dreams I’ve had ever since I discovered the joys of theatre-going and acting,’ said Ian McKellen. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

It’s a chilly spring evening in what was once a Catholic church in a left-behind County Durham pit village, and Ian McKellen admits he is feeling emotional.

“This is the only company of actors in the United Kingdom and it’s in … Horden?” he says. “I’m feeling very emotional. This fulfils all my romantic dreams I’ve had ever since I discovered the joys of theatre-going and acting.”

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