Ian McKellen Stars in Ravenhill's The Cut in London, Feb. 23

Theatre and film star Ian McKellen will return to the London stage with Mark Ravenhill's new play The Cut, which will open at the Donmar Warehouse on February 28th after beginning previews on February 23rd.

The play, the first of the Donmar's 2006 season, will mark McKellan's first play at the renowned theatre. Michael Grandage, the Donmar's artistic director and the director of West End shows such as Guys and Dolls and the upcoming Evita, will stage the play.

According to Whatsonstage.com, the show "revolves around an ordinary man (McKellen) with a shocking secret. At home, he is a loving husband and father. But at work, he administers the Cut. In a society sickened by his profession, he struggles with his conscience and longs to tell the truth."

The Cut will also feature Deborah Findlay, who was previously seen in Ravenhill's Mother Clap's Molly House. The playwright is perhaps best known for his acid-laced comedy Shopping and F*cking.

Olivier Award-winner McKellen received a Tony Award for his performance in Amadeus, and was nominated for his work in Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare. Other Broadway credits include Dance of Death, Wild Honey and The Promise. Perhaps best-known to most for his performances in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (for which he received an Oscar nomination) and the X-Men franchise, he has also appeared in such films as Apt Pupil, Gods and Monsters (in which he received his first Oscar nomination), Bent and Six Degrees of Separation, as well as the upcoming The Da Vinci Code.

Visit www.donmarwarehouse.com for more information on the theatre.