 While in New Zealand filming The Hobbit in 2012 , McKellen announced a special New Zealand tour " Shakespeare , Tolkien , and You ! " , with proceeds from the shows going to help save the Isaac Theatre Royal , which suffered extensive damage during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake . McKellen said he opted to help save the building as it was the last theatre he played in New Zealand ( Waiting for Godot in 2010 ) and the locals ' love for it made it a place worth supporting . 
