Ian McKellen was, for a long time, England’s premiere Shakespearean actor. His MacBeth with Judi Dench back in the ‘70s was mesmerizing. I’ve seen him in at least 10-15 classical productions, and over the years he has grown less and less hungry for greatest. The last time I enjoyed him was years ago as “Mr. Puff” in the silly Restoration play “The Critic.” I saw his Lear several years ago and disliked it.
I know he is, that’s what makes it funnier. At least, Patrick Stewart I’ve seen on TV in Hamlet (the David Tennant version) and on stage doing A Christmas Carol — but there were so many Trekkies in the audience, I’d almost have to discount that. (And considering I was watching Hamlet because Doctor Who was in it ...)