EXCLUSIVE : The actor David Shields ( Masters of the Air, Black Mirror ) gives a word-perfect impersonation of Ian McKellen . The theatrical knight saw Shields backstage following a performance of James Graham ’s compelling show Punch when it was playing off-West End at the Young Vic.

Mimicking the McKellen, Shields recalls The Lord of the Rings star bellowing at him in Falstaffian fashion: “Dear boy, who’s your agent?!”

Told that it’s Dallas Smith, the canny, veteran agent at United Talent, McKellen continued: “Well, tell him you must have your name up in lights!” Shields says: “I was like, ’Of course, Sir Ian, why else do we do what we do?’”

McKellen rounded on him. “No, no, my darling boy, because if I hadn’t bought this £5 ($6.50) program I wouldn’t know who you wer

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