Sir Ian McKellen will portray English artist L.S. Lowry in the forthcoming BBCArena documentary, L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes
Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, this immersive film will foreground the touching and often surprising exchange between the enigmatic artist and Angela Barratt, a young fan whose interviews capture Lowry in his most intimate, reflective moments.
Recorded in the artist’s own living room – his private sanctuary – the tapes reveal Lowry’s authentic voice, which Ian McKellen will lip-sync on screen. Across these candid conversations, Lowry traces his journey from childhood through to his final days, sharing the memories and experiences that shaped both the artist and the man.
Alongside this deeply personal account, Arena: L.S Lowry: The Unheard Tapes also explores the dramatic transformation of Salford and Greater Manchester, the region Lowry depicted so prolifically and whose shifting industrial landscape profoundly influenced his work.
The role of Angela will be played by Annabel Smith who is currently appearing at The Royal Court Theatre in The Shitheads. Her past credits include The Vanishing Room (New Diorama) and Upstart Crow (Apollo Theatre).
Ian McKellen says: “To give play to Lowry through his own voice has been a unique privilege. 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.”
Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor, BBC Arts, says: “Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, and celebrating Arena’s own 50-year tradition of ambitious, intelligent storytelling, this film comes at a 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 Greater Manchester in the 20th century.”
