"After an introduction to the commercial theatre in London and New York, there was a variegated and instructive period of work back in the regions, touring and directing for subsidised theatre. Three of these productions which transferred to London tagged me as a "classical actor", although six others were all modern plays." — Ian McKellen, October 1999
| Year | Place | Title/Writer | Director/Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Prospect Theatre Company UK Tours, Edinburgh Festival, European tours, Mermaid Theatre and Piccadilly |
RICHARD II William Shakespeare |
DIRECTOR: Richard Cottrell ROLE: Richard II |
| 1969 | Liverpool Playhouse Liverpool |
THE BACCHAE Euripides |
DIRECTOR: Antony Tuckey ROLE: Pentheus |
| 1969 | Liverpool Playhouse Liverpool |
THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE Jay Presson Allen |
DIRECTOR: Ian McKellen ROLE: Director |
| 1969 | Liverpool Playhouse Liverpool |
THREE MONTHS GONE Howarth Donald |
DIRECTOR: Ian McKellen |
| 1969 | Prospect Theatre Company Edinburgh Festival, UK and European tours, Mermaid Theatre and Piccadilly Theatre. |
EDWARD II Christopher Marlowe |
DIRECTOR: Toby Robertson ROLE: Edward II |
| 1970 | Royal Albert Hall London |
An Evening of Free Greek Music & Drama Devised by Minos Volonakis |
DIRECTOR: Minos Volonakis |
| 1970 | Theatre Upstairs: Royal Court London |
BILLY'S LAST STAND Barry Hines |
DIRECTOR: Michael Wearing ROLE: Darkly |
| 1970 | Cambridge Theatre Company UK Tour |
THE RECRUITING OFFICER George Farquhar |
DIRECTOR: Richard Cottrell ROLE: Captain Plume |
| 1970 | Cambridge Theatre Company UK Tour |
CHIPS WITH EVERYTHING Arnold Wesker |
DIRECTOR: Richard Cottrell ROLE: Corporal Hill |
| 1971 | Prospect Theatre Company UK/European Tour |
HAMLET William Shakespeare |
DIRECTOR: Robert Chetwyn ROLE: Prince Hamlet |
| 1971 | Crucible Sheffield |
THE SWAN SONG Anton Chekov |
DIRECTOR: David William ROLE: Svetlovidov |
| 1972 | Phoenix Leicester |
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND Tom Stoppard |
DIRECTOR: Ian McKellen |
| 1972 | Watford London |
ERPINGHAM CAMP Joe Orton |
DIRECTOR: Ian McKellen |