Sir Ian bares all on stage

Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellan stunned theatre-goers when he stripped naked in a performance of the Shakespearean tragedy King Lear.

The 67-year-old actor and gay rights activist dropped his trousers and underpants and then pulled off his shirt during the play's classic storm scene.

"It was completely unexpected. When we went into the play, there were signs warning us about loud noises, but there was no mention of full nudity," said one member of the audience.

A spokeswoman for The Royal Shakespeare Company said that a meeting would be held today to discuss whether parents and school groups should be warned about the play's contents.