McKellen is fantastic in this play. I know that the Roundabout got raves...but I found it awfully shallow, seeing it after the Stewart/McKellen production in London.
I, too, enjoyed the London production. I especially liked McKellen, but they were both fun, and Stewart wasn't pompous at all. I will try to see No Man's Land.
I love this play. Always have. I've read there's a '61 tv version with Zero Mostel and Burgess Meredith, which sounds like odd but fascinating casting. I will most certainly see this version should it come here.
"As for Stewart, generally, I always feel as though there is such a sparkle in his eye that I never feel that he comes off as pompous."
That's more or less what I meant when I said sometimes even Patrick Stewart thinks he's pompous. He's usually ready to mock himself. I thought he was a brilliant Prospero in The Tempest at The Delacort.
I had reservations before seeing it at the haymarket as its never been an interesting play for me but McKellen made it a masterclass and I found it utterly fascinating.