In a remarkable cinematic feat, Sir Ian McKellen is set to portray the iconic British artist LS Lowry in a new BBC documentary, L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes. The film's centrepiece is McKellen lip-syncing to Lowry's authentic voice, sourced from a treasure trove of previously unpublished recordings made in the painter's own living room.
The Lost Tapes: A Private Sanctuary Revealed
The project hinges on a series of intimate interviews, described as the longest the artist ever gave. They were recorded over the final four years of Lowry's life in the 1970s within his living room, which he considered his "private sanctuary". These tapes, now held by The Lowry gallery in Salford, have survived for decades and offer unprecedented access to Lowry's personal reflections.
Sir Ian McKellen, a Lancashire-born actor and longstanding admirer of the artist, described the role as a "unique privilege". He stated that the recordings provide an intimate insight into Lowry's ambitions, regrets, and humour, effectively bringing the artist back to life through his own words for fans of his distinctive industrial landscapes and matchstick men.
More Than an Artist's Portrait: A Story of the North
The documentary is billed not only as a portrait of the enigmatic painter but also as a chronicle of 20th-century urban life in the north of England. It will explore the transformation of Salford and Greater Manchester, the very regions whose shifting industrial scenery profoundly shaped Lowry's prolific output.
Michael Simpson, director of visual arts at The Lowry, noted the tapes reveal "an artist of wit, contradiction and perhaps surprising depth, far removed from the myth of the 'simple man'". This complexity is captured in conversations with a young fan, Angela Barratt, whose interviews are highlighted as capturing Lowry in his most reflective moments. The role of Angela will be played by actor Annabel Smith.
Redressing a London-Centric Legacy
The film also touches on the historical sidelining of Lowry by the southern art establishment. Fifteen years ago, McKellen himself was among prominent figures who criticised the Tate for not displaying its Lowry collection in London, questioning if the artist was deemed too provincial.
This sentiment is echoed by former gallery director Julian Spalding, who accused the art world of "snobbish elitism" towards the northern painter. Despite this, Lowry's status has been reassessed, culminating in a major Tate Britain exhibition in 2013, the first of its scale in a public institution since his death 50 years ago.
Richard Grossick, representing the Lowry estate, expressed delight at the use of the "compelling recordings" and praised McKellen as the ideal actor to channel Lowry's distinctive Lancastrian tones. L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes will be released on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer soon.
