Ewan McGregor announces return to UK stage after 17 years

Ewan McGregor will make his comeback to the London stage after a 17-year hiatus, stating that live theatre is “good for the soul”. The Scottish performer, known for his roles in films like Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge, is scheduled to appear in My Master Builder in London’s West End from April to July of next year. Speaking to BBC News, McGregor remarked, “This is the longest I haven’t been on stage, and in honesty, I’ve missed it.” The upcoming production, My Master Builder, draws inspiration from Henrik Ibsen’s 1892 work The Master Builder, with the script penned by US playwright Lila Raicek and direction by Michael Grandage. McGregor recounted the circumstances of his involvement, stating, “The funny story is, I had literally just finished reading Ibsen’s The Master Builder for pleasure – an extraordinary read,” adding, “Michael got in touch out of the blue and I mentioned how much I’d love to get back on stage. “And in a moment of pure coincidence, he told me he had a play inspired by The Master Builder sitting on his desk. I asked him to send it to me, and here we are. A moment of total serendipity.” He commented that Raicek’s script had pursued a “fascinating” path, characterizing the production as a “very modern take on sexual politics in a way that resonates particularly for this moment we find ourselves in”. He further elaborated, “It examines these issues in a very grown-up way,” concluding, “And ultimately, I felt like what a great play it would be to see, and therefore what a great play it would be to do.” Ibsen’s original play, The Master Builder, centered on Halvard Solness, a middle-aged Norwegian architect who achieves success by constructing new residences after a fire devastates a housing development. Despite his ambitious and ruthless nature, Solness contends with sentiments of inadequacy and apprehension about being surpassed by emerging talent. Previews for the play are scheduled to commence at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre on 17 April, continuing until 12 July. Grandage and McGregor have a history of working together, having previously collaborated on Othello and Guys and Dolls at the Donmar theatre, where Grandage served as artistic director. McGregor referred to these past collaborations as “amazing experiences”, noting that he felt “incredibly safe” under the director’s guidance. “I really like the work he gets out of me,” McGregor stated. He further explained, “He has great creative intention and ideas before we start in the rehearsal room, but when we are actually rehearsing with him, there’s such a great sense of discovering it together.” McGregor’s extensive filmography encompasses titles such as Brassed Off, Miss Potter, Black Hawk Down, Angels & Demons, Birds of Prey, and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. He portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the initial installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, released in 1999. He reprised this character in later Star Wars movies and in the 2022 miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi. The 53-year-old actor’s television work also features Halston, where he depicted fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick. McGregor received an Emmy Award in 2021 for this performance. His most recent stage role was over ten years ago, in The Real Thing on Broadway, alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal. Pondering his upcoming return to live theatre, McGregor remarked: “I love acting on film and television, and of course, I love acting on stage. I have always been lucky enough to do all three throughout my career. “Theatre teaches you so much about acting, the audience teaches you. What works, what doesn’t. It’s very good for the soul. The live experience. The power of storytelling. “Also I love the routine of it, waking up in the morning with the day aiming towards this event, this electric experience.” Earlier in the current year, McGregor was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. He expressed being “particularly moved” by its placement next to the star of the original Princess Leia from the film franchise, the late actress Carrie Fisher. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their external linking policy is available.