Sir Ian McKellen has said it is “with the greatest reluctance” that he has decided to withdraw from a national tour of Player Kings, following his fall from a West End stage.
The veteran stage and screen actor, 85, toppled off the stage at Noël Coward Theatre in London during a performance of the play in June.
Sir Ian, who plays John Falstaff in the production, announced today that while his injuries were improving “day by day”, he has accepted medical advice to pause work in order to ensure he fully recovers.
The actor’s role in the adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV will now be performed by his understudy, David Semark, for the remaining tour dates.
Sir Ian urged people to go to see the play, which is touring across the UK until 27 July, saying it remained “as dazzling as ever”.
During a fight scene at Noël Coward Theatre, Sir Ian lost his footing and fell off the front of the stage into the orchestra pit. Audience members reported hearing him cry out in pain as staff rushed to help.
The Lord of the Rings star said that, following the accident, he spent three days in hospital, before undergoing “physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home”.
Discussing his decision to drop out of the play, the actor said: “Two weeks after my accident onstage, my injuries improve day by day.
“It’s with the greatest reluctance that I have accepted the medical advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime.
“I had been so looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theatre-goers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
“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!”
A statement from the production said: “Following Ian McKellen’s injury during the West End run of Player Kings, his doctors’ advice is to take time off from work in order to fully recover.
“As such, he will not be returning to play Sir John Falstaff in the national tour of Players Kings (3-27 July 2024).
“Ian continues to recuperate very well, but he needs the time to rest and ensure a complete recovery. We continue to send him our best wishes.
“As it was for the final West End performances, the role of Falstaff will now be performed by David Semark, Ian’s brilliant understudy, for all tour dates of Player Kings.”
Additional reporting by Press Association.
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