Sir Ian McKellen pulls out from national tour of Player Kings after fall from West End stage: Actor, 85, says it is with 'the greatest reluctance' that he's accepted medical advice to 'protect my full recovery' By Arthur Parashar Published: 10:34 EDT, 1 July 2024 | Updated: 11:40 EDT, 1 July 2024 e-mail 19 shares 56 View comments Sir Ian McKellen has pulled out of the national tour of Player Kings after falling from a West End stage during a performance last month. The legendary actor, 85, said he was withdrawing with 'the greatest reluctance' but is taking medical advice to 'protect my recovery'. Sir Ian was playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre on June 17 when he lost his footing in a fight scene and plunged from the stage into the audience.
After the shock incident, he was rushed to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of his performances for the week were cancelled to allow him to rest. The production ended in London on June 22 with an understudy, but Sir Ian was expected to rejoin the cast when the play goes on tour - starting in Bristol on July 3. However, Sir Ian - who was pictured wearing a wrist support last month - has now revealed that he will not be joining the tour following advice from doctors.
Sir Ian McKellen has withdrawn from the national tour of Player Kings after he fell from a West End stage during a performance. He is pictured here during an earlier performance at the Noel Coward Theatre on April 11 P.
