The greatest living English stage actor

The first name that hopped into my brain was Ian McKellen, and considering his overall standard and his professional reputation, I don't see much of a reason to argue against that. Unless you're arguing for Judi Dench, I guess, it's very much between those two.

I can also think of a lot of names who I think have the potential to hold this title in the years ahead (okay, I can think of Eve Best and Patsy Ferran), but I'm happy with my first choices up there.

Also, Anthony Hopkins is WELSH. I do hope you pointed that out!

Yeah McKellen and Dench are the obvious go to names though personally I didn't see either of them in their big triumphs.

Maggie Smith as well even though she is retired from the stage - or less mentioned but what about Eileen Atkins or Michael Gambon?

Also, for me, I think there's a difference in my brain between "greatest" and "best". If you asked me for the *best* living English stage actor, I'd be voting for Eve Best or Simon Russell Beale or Harriet Walter in a heartbeat, but the use of the word "greatest" just took my brain to an entirely different place where wider reputation mattered as much as skill. Funny how that happens!

It's all very subjective isn't it? Hopkins barely registers as a stage actor with me. I only saw him once in M Butterfly at the Shaftesbury (I think) and remember being astonished but he has since said in interviews that he hated the experience.

My vote for greatest would be McKellen and Dench, although Maggie Smith would be a close runner up. Her mannered style ideal for the stage - hilarious, outrageous and fabulous in Lettice and Lovage for example, but hasn't done stage work for ages.

Yes, at the Shaftesbury. I saw it too. If he's done any stage work since, it passed me by.

That's it, folks, everyone go home. We have a winner.

Another vote for Ian McKellen. I was lucky enough to see many productions that he was in at the National in the 1980s &1990s and they were outstanding - Bent, The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound, Coriolanus, The Enemy of the People, Richard III, Wild Honey, King Lear, Peter Pan - happy memories!!!

The “English” bit got me. My go to answer is Spacey, who is of course American.

So mine would have to be Derek Jacobi. Absolutely phenomenal actor in the flesh.

I think I’m uniquely fortunate, in that I truly am able to separate the performer from the scandal when these things happen. I’d consider Spacey’s Richard III remains the best performance in a play I’ve been lucky to see.

I don’t really care too much for celebrity’s private lives outside of what I pay to see them do. If I loved Gary Glitter’s music - which I don’t, well before my time - then his being a criminal sex offender wouldn’t stop me enjoying his music.

Incidentally, while I actually fully believe the allegations against him myself from the reports I’ve read - all hearsay and allegation mind you - nothing has been proven against him and I believe firmly in innocent until proven guilty. I’m not one to jump on bandwagons, to be fair. Not that I’m saying other people are, I just tend to err on the side of caution when assessing people’s character - not least people I’ve never known.

I loved Allam in La Cage Aux Folles! Thought he was incredible. Only thing I’ve seen him in live to be fair. Couldn’t sing well but the definition of acting through song. Amazing.

Jacobi it is then. Plus he's got the most lovely twinkly eyes.

Spacey doesn't deserve to be remembered as anything but a disgusting, vile piece of sh*t but perhaps there's a forum in Hell that might consider his hammy talents worthy.

Well, I’ve never found him hammy, personally. I’m happy to discuss the merits of his performances, but I don’t think speculating and discussing media reports about alleged crimes is really helpful until he has actually been charged with a crime. The whole concept of trial by media just makes me uneasy, regardless of my personal opinions about the cases involved (or rather, what I know of them).