Sir Sir Ian McKellen has joined forces with The Theatrical Guild and The Good Exchange platform, fundraising for both backstage and front of house theatre workers who've been unable to work and support themselves financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The veteran British actor, who's kicked the fund off with a £40k donation earned from his 80th birthday UK theatre tour, is calling on 'anyone who has attended a theatrical production in the past to put their hands in their pockets', and said 'Many people who work in the theatre industry have seen their livelihoods disappear due to the coronavirus lockdown. I, for example, have received a distressing letter from a stage manager who is facing eviction from his home and can’t access government relief'.