Shows raise $35,000

Ian McKellen.
Ian McKellen.
Two sold-out shows in Wanaka by Oscar-nominated actor Sir Ian McKellen have raised tens of thousands of dollars towards the restoration of Christchurch's earthquake-damaged Isaac Theatre Royal.

The shows at the Wanaka Lake Centre on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon each attracted 340 people, raising $35,000 in total, a spokeswoman said.

That came from ticket and programme sales, bar takings - donated by the centre - and individual donations from audience members.

The result also helped push national fundraising figures to about $250,000, with three performances left in Sir Ian's 14-show national tour.

Tickets remained for a performance at the Hawkes Bay Opera House on June 16, which will be followed by sold-out shows in Wellington on June 23 and Carterton the following day.

Sir Ian is in New Zealand reprising his Oscar-nominated character Gandalf in The Hobbit films, and was touring his one-man show to raise money for the restoration of the Isaac Theatre Royal, where he performed in Waiting for Godot.

 

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