Star of stage and screen Sir Ian McKellen has said it is with “the greatest reluctance” he is taking medical advice to “protect [his] recovery” and withdraw from the national tour of Player Kings, following his fall from a West End stage. The 85-year-old, who is known to many for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and X-Men films, fell off the stage last month during a fight scene. He landed on an audience member who also required medical attention.
Sir Ian was taken to hospital for treatment and the remaining two shows were cancelled. While he was initially able to return to complete the run it has now been confirmed his understudy David Semark will step in to play Sir John Falstaff for the national tour, which begins on Wednesday, July 3. In a new statement Sir Ian gave the update: “Two weeks after my accident onstage, my injuries improve day by day.
I had been so looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theatre-goers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. READ MORE: Katherine Jenkins refuses to speak for a day before her gigs READ MORE: Rylan Clark looks unrecognisable as he ditches makeup and goes natural “But I can assure them that, with David Semark now playing Falstaff, Robert Icke’s production and his acting company remain as dazzling as ever. Go see for yourself!” Last month Sir Ian told his fans he’d been “assured” his “recovery will be complete and speedy”, adding that he was “looking forward to returning to work” once he is.
