Veteran actor Ian McKellen paid a touching musical tribute to his close friend Patrick Stewart at a charity gala in London. He led the audience in a song that the two actors once performed together on stage. The late actor, loved for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek’ and Professor Charles Xavier in the ‘X-Men’ films, died at his Los Angeles home on October 28. He was 86.
Ian McKellen sings in Patrick Stewart’s memory
Ian Mckellen’s tribute came at the Raise the Roof! gala at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre, days after he had shared an emotional Instagram post about Patrick Stewart. The event raised funds for the GBP 26 million Centenary Appeal for Denville Hall, a home for retired entertainment professionals. Patrick Stewart was an ambassador for the organisation.Dressed in a dark suit and a bright yellow scarf, Ian Mckellen walked on stage and spoke to the audience without a microphone. He then invited everyone to sing ‘Underneath the Arches’, a 1932 music-hall song made popular by Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen.The song held a special place in the friendship between the two actors. Before starting, Ian Mckellen asked the audience to think of Patrick Stewart as they sang. He said, “When we played the tramps in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, Pat Stewart and I sang that song – here in London and on Broadway – at the end of the show. And we’re going to sing it now for you; I hope you enjoy. Now I’ve reminded you of some of the words. As we sing it, let’s remember Pat Stewart, a great actor.”A video of the moment is now going around on social media, and many fans have said they were moved by the personal memory behind it.
A friendship beyond the fame
In his long Instagram tribute, Ian remembered the man behind the famous roles. He wrote about Patrick’s deep love for Yorkshire, his frank and outspoken nature, and how he stayed connected to his roots even after spending most of his life in America.Ian also recalled a conversation on a London street, when Patrick told him he had been offered a lead role in ‘Star Trek’. Ian worried that taking it could keep his friend away from the British stage for years. He wrote, “But Patrick, think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk—getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?”Their bond also shaped their work. Audiences across the world loved them as Magneto and Professor X in the ‘X-Men’ films, where their characters stood on opposite sides of an ideological divide. The two also shared the Broadway stage in ‘No Man’s Land’ and ‘Waiting for Godot’.
Patrick Stewart’s death confirmed
His spokesperson confirmed the news a day later and revealed that the actor had been battling Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Patrick Stewart’s final film
Patrick Stewart is set to return as Professor Charles Xavier for the last time in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Marvel Studios has confirmed that the December release will mark the veteran actor’s final appearance as the iconic character. This means fans will not see him as Xavier in the 2027 sequel, ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’.‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will release in Indian theatres on December 17, a day before its US release. The film will be available in four languages: English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
