Ewan McGregor has announced his highly anticipated return to the London stage, describing live theatre as “good for the soul.” The Scottish actor, celebrated for his roles in Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge, will star in My Master Builder, set to run in the West End from April to July next year.
Reflecting on his absence from theatre, McGregor admitted, “This is the longest I haven’t been on stage, and honestly, I’ve missed it.”
As per the Leaders sources, the play, inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s 1892 classic The Master Builder, is a modern adaptation written by Lila Raicek and directed by Michael Grandage. McGregor shared the serendipitous story behind his involvement: “I had just finished reading Ibsen’s The Master Builder for pleasure when Michael called. I mentioned my interest in returning to the stage, and he told me he had a play inspired by it sitting on his desk. It felt like fate.”
Raicek’s adaptation offers a contemporary lens on Ibsen’s themes, exploring “sexual politics in a way that resonates deeply with the times we live in,” McGregor explained. “It’s a very grown-up examination of these issues, and I felt it would be a great play to both watch and perform.”
McGregor and Grandage share a strong creative history, having previously collaborated on Othello and Guys and Dolls during Grandage’s tenure at the Donmar Theatre. “Working with Michael has always been an incredible experience,” McGregor said. “He creates a space where discovery happens together, and I feel incredibly safe in his hands.”
According to the sources of Leaders, the production will premiere at Wyndham’s Theatre on April 17, with previews beginning earlier, and will run through July 12.
In addition to his return to live theatre, McGregor remains a prominent figure in film and television. His extensive credits include Brassed Off, Black Hawk Down, Birds of Prey, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi. Most recently, he revisited the role in the 2022 miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi. He also earned an Emmy Award in 2021 for his portrayal of fashion designer Halston in the TV series Halston.
Reflecting on the unique joy of theatre, McGregor said, “Theatre teaches you so much about acting. The audience is an incredible teacher. It’s a live, electric experience that’s deeply fulfilling. I love the routine of it, knowing your day is leading toward that singular, powerful moment of storytelling.”
Earlier this year, McGregor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he noted was placed beside that of Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher. “That was particularly moving,” he said.
As he prepares to return to the stage, McGregor’s passion for live performance promises to bring fresh energy to his long-awaited homecoming.
