Ian McKellen to miss final London performances following on-stage fall

Actor Ian McKellen is resting, taking light exercise and undergoing physiotherapy after spending three nights in the hospital after he toppled off a London stage during a fight scene earlier this week.

The 85-year-old veteran actor thanked the public for their many messages of support following his fall at the Noël Coward Theatre on Monday (Tuesday in Australia).

An understudy, David Semark, will take his place in Player Kings during the production’s final London dates, a statement sent on Thursday (overnight in Australia) on McKellen’s behalf by his publicist Clair Dobbs said.

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Ian McKellen

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“David Semark will be playing the role of Sir John Falstaff for the final three scheduled performances of Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre in London while Ian McKellen recuperates following his fall,” a statement from the production shared to X (formerly Twitter) said.

“We look forward to Ian returning to the production, which begins a national tour in Bristol on Wednesday, July 3, before visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.”

Player Kings is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s two Henry IV history plays, directed by Robert Icke. Several performances were cancelled after the incident.

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One day after his fall, McKellen took to X with a statement to his fans.

“I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support,” McKellen wrote.

“Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of course, I am hugely indebted.”

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“They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work,” his statement concluded.

McKellen, who played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings, is one of Britain’s most acclaimed Shakespearean actors, with roles including Richard III, Macbeth and King Lear.

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