Sir Ian McKellen 'brings LS Lowry's words to life'

Sir Ian McKellen will portray LS Lowry "through his own voice" in a new BBC documentary by drawing upon previously unbroadcast material recorded by the celebrated artist near the end of his life.

The Lord Of The Rings star, 86, stars as Laurence Stephen Lowry in the BBC Arts Arena film LS Lowry: The Unheard Tapes.

It features details from conversations between Lowry - known for his depiction of working-class life in Lancashire and Greater Manchester - and Angela Barratt, a young fan who interviewed him as he looked back on his life before his death in 1976.

Sir Ian, who lip-syncs Lowry's words in the film, said: "To give play to Lowry through his own voice has been a unique privilege."

He added: "These tapes reveal an intimate insight into the artist's thoughts - his ambitions, regrets and his humour.

"Anyone like me, who admires his paintings and drawings, will be intrigued and delighted that the artist is brought back to life through his own words."

The one-hour documentary on the BBC's long-standing arts strand will also explore how the north-west of England's industrial landscape changed over the years, something that was often captured in Lowry's work.

Mark Bell, BBC Arts commissioning editor, said: "Marking 50 years since Lowry's death, and celebrating Arena's own 50-year tradition of ambitious, intelligent storytelling, this film comes at very special moment.

"The inspired casting of Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith - an echo of the age and energy between Lowry and Angela - feels like life imitating art in the best possible way.

"But this film isn't just about the life of the artist, it also provides an insight into the realities of urban life in the north of England in the 20th Century."

The film will air on BBC Two and iPlayer, with broadcast details yet to be announced.

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