At the National Theatre he worked under Laurence Olivier, and later played Martin Dysart there during the run of the original production of Equus directed by John Dexter.
In the death scene at one performance, Exton's blade broke the skin on the King's back; McKellen appeared ready for the curtain call handing Meacher a stiff drink to help him get over it.
He has played the title roles in King Lear, Macbeth, Othello, Richard III, Ivanov, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice and Prospero in The Tempest.
Over his many productions, he built up at North West London theatre venues and sometimes touring wider afield what was in effect the nucleus of a small-scale classical company, performing both Shakespeare and the later literary greats.
As well as Judi Bowker, the team often included Georgia Cardy, Bryan Hands, Emily Holden, Adam Lewis, Seamus Newham, Tom Reah, Roger Sansom and Jonson Wilkinson.