Under normal circumstances getting to see Sir Ian McKellan star in a stage adaptation of King Lear is definitely preferable to having the performance cancelled at the last minute. And yet we have a feeling an audience this weekend isn’t complaining about the beloved actor not being able to go on with the show, because he made it up to them by hosting an afternoon of conversation, stories, and even some monologues.

McKellan was physically unable to play Shakespeare’s tragic king during the Saturday matinee performance oat the London Theatre after hurting his leg trying to catch a train, the specifics of which he shared on Twitter.

I hadn’t long been up before I set off for yesterday’s matinee of King Lear. At the underground station I galloped up 45 steps to catch the train above. Once on it, I skipped along the carriage and my left leg gave way. A strained calf muscle was diagnosed … pic.twitter.com/5fH3ASa65o

— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) August 5, 2018

Because he’s the best though he didn’t want to leave the would-be audience disappointed, so instead he sat on stage and gave them something we might argue was just as good (if not better since it was so unexpected and unique)–a talk with him that was part Q&A, part stories about his career (including an amazing one involving Maggie Smith and Laurence Olivier), and part advice to young actors. He even performed a little, including as Gandalf.

Sir Ian McKellen injured himself running to catch a train, and this afternoon’s performance of King Lear is cancelled. Instead, McKellen is chatting with the audience taking questions, and it is pretty incredible. pic.twitter.com/UcNLiWNgE7

— Katie Simpson (@Katie___Simpson) August 4, 2018

Someone shouts “what’s your advice for aspiring actors?” He jokes “don’t”. Huge laughs.

— Katie Simpson (@Katie___Simpson) August 4, 2018

This might be our favorite.

…in his own words, "Neither of us caught that the line is actually 'You cannot pass.' One of the most famous lines, and we got it wrong!"

— Holly Brockwell (@holly) August 4, 2018

He did eventually get the part with Olivier, by the way.
He was so lovely, funny and entertained us all off the top of his head for an hour and a half. What a treasure.

— Holly Brockwell (@holly) August 4, 2018

Oh also:
"Sir Ian, what's your favourite non-Shakespearean character?"
McKellen, without missing a beat: "GANDALF"

— Holly Brockwell (@holly) August 4, 2018

He said he'd love to play "an old Mercutio", and that if he could pick a play to do with Patrick Stewart, they'd be Silence and Shallow from Henry IV part 2.
Then he did a whole scene from it, as if Stewart was there. Amazing.

— Holly Brockwell (@holly) August 4, 2018

Uh, “make it so!”

Someone in the audience asked Sir Ian McKellen his tips for auditions. He said "having been the one people audition to, just relax. Because they'll know if you're what they had in mind before you've even spoken a line, and if not, it's not incompetence or inadequacy on your part"

— Holly Brockwell (@holly) August 4, 2018

Standing ovation for Sir Ian McKellen, who welcomed his cast mates to the stage after being unable to perform. While I’m obviously disappointed to not see King Lear, it was a privilege to hear McKellen share his thoughts on theatre this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/r8TCWJJJwX

— Katie Simpson (@Katie___Simpson) August 4, 2018

This sounds like it was an incredible experience (minus his injury), but did those in attendance feel the same way?

Amazing, once in a lifetime experience.

We had a live rendition of "You shall not pass!"

It was magical. https://t.co/x9DK8egVBJ

— Zack Fox 🦊 (@ZackFoxFilm) August 4, 2018

We’re not saying we wouldn’t be bummed out to miss seeing a great Shakespearean actor star in one of the greatest roles ever, but unexpectedly getting to hang out with Ian McKellen isn’t exactly a tragic ending to this story.

What would thou asketh Ian McKellen if you had a chance to talk to him ? Let us know in the comments section below.

Image: Roadside Attraction