Ewan McGregor’s first theatrical role in 17 years.

Ewan McGregor has described live theater as “good for the soul”, as he announced he is returning to the stage for the first time in 17 years.

The Scottish actor, who starred in Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge, is set to star in My Master Builder in London’s West End between April and July next year.

McGregor told BBC News: “This is the longest I’ve been on stage, and to be honest, I’ve missed it.”

Inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s 1892 play The Master Builder, the new show is written by American playwright Lila Raisek and will be directed by Michael Grandage.

“The funny story is, I literally ended up reading Ibsen’s The Master Builder for pleasure — a phenomenal read,” McGregor explained. “Michael got in touch out of the blue and I said how much I’d love to get back on stage.

“And in a moment of pure serendipity, he told me he had a play inspired by The Master Builder sitting on his desk. I asked him to send it to me, and here we are. A moment of total awe.”

He said Raisek had taken the script in an “interesting” direction, and described the new play as “a very modern take on gender politics that is particularly resonant for the moment in which we find ourselves. find”.

“It examines these issues in a very big way,” he continued. “And ultimately, I realized what a great play it would be to watch, and therefore what a great play it would be to do.”

Ibsen’s The Master Builder focuses on a middle-aged Norwegian architect who succeeds by building new houses after a fire destroys residential properties.

But the ambitious and ruthless architect, Hallward Solness, is plagued by feelings of inadequacy and fear of being overpowered by younger talent.

The production will begin previews at London’s Wyndham Theater on April 17 and run until July 12.

Grandage and McGregor have previously collaborated on Othello and Guys and Dolls, both for the Donmar Theatre, where Grandage was artistic director.

McGregor called working on both shows “amazing experiences”, saying he felt “incredibly safe” in the director’s hands.

“I like the work he gets out of me,” McGregor said. “He has great creative intent and ideas before we start in the rehearsal room, but when we’re actually rehearsing with him, it’s a great feeling to explore together.”

McGregor’s film credits include Brassed Off, Miss Potter, Black Hawk Down, Angels and Demons, Birds of Prey and Salmon Fishing in Yemen.

In 1999, he played the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars prequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. He subsequently reprized the role in the four subsequent Star Wars films and the 2022 miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The 53-year-old’s other TV credits include Halston, in which he played fashion designer Roy Halston Frock. McGregor won an Emmy Award for his role in 2021.

Reflecting on a return to live theatre, McGregor said: “I love acting in film and television, and of course, I love acting on stage. I’ve always wanted to do all three throughout my career. I’ve been lucky.

“Theatre teaches you so much about acting, the audience teaches you. What works, what doesn’t. It’s great for the soul. The lived experience, the power of storytelling.

“Also I love the routine of it, waking up in the morning with the day, to this event, to this electrifying experience.”

Earlier this year, McGregor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. He said he was “particularly moved” to star alongside the late Carrie Fisher, the original Princess Leia in the film franchise.