Visiting a friend's apartment roof-deck here recently, the British actor Ian McKellen quietly began singing to himself. The tune was not one you'd expect from someone who's won six Olivier Awards playing the likes of Richard III. It was far more contemporary — a number from the Disney musical "Beauty and the Beast."
McKellen is shooting scenes for the largely live-action film adaptation as Cogsworth, chief steward to the lead lumberer, and as he relaxed he took the chance to get into character.
"There's something interesting," he said wryly between bars, "about playing a clock."
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Time seems to be of little concern to the 76-year-old McKellen.