SIR Ian McKellen's understudy will perform in the play Player Kings for its final London dates while he recuperates following a fall on Monday. The veteran screen and stage actor, 85, was performing at the Noel Coward Theatre when he lost his footing in a fight scene and fell from the stage. After the accident, he was taken to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's performances were cancelled to allow him to rest.
Sir Ian said he is having "physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home" after three nights in hospital. A post on the Player Kings X account today said: "David Semark will be playing the role of Sir John Falstaff for the final three scheduled performances of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London while Ian McKellen recuperates following his fall on Monday 17 June." It added: "We look forward to Ian returning to the production, which begins a national tour in Bristol on Wednesday 3 July, before visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
" The final London performances are taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. After his fall, Lord Of The Rings star and Olivier Award-winner Sir Ian thanked everyone who had left messages of support. On X he wrote: "I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support.
"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 Na.