Sir Ian McKellen to Miss U.K. Theatrical Tour After Onstage Fall

Sir Ian McKellen has dropped out of the U.K. tour of Player Kings after suffering a fall during a performance in London last month.

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In a statement, McKellen said he was making good progress in his recovery but acknowledged that his doctors had said it’d be best if he refrained from working for the time being. “Two weeks after my accident on stage, my injuries improve day by day,” McKellen said. “It’s with the greatest reluctance that I have accepted the medical advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime.”

McKellen reportedly fell during a fight scene in Player Kings , a show that merges Shakespeare’s Henry IV , Parts One and Two (McKellen was playing John Falstaff). According to those at the venue, the house lights turned on and people could hear him cry for help. The rest of the show was called off and the following night’s production was canceled.

After the fall, the 85-year-old actor was taken to the hospital, where a rep said a scan was performed, and doctors said McKellen would make a “speedy and full recovery.” Still, it was eventually announced that McKellen would miss the final three Player Kings performances in London. His understudy, David Semark, took over for him and will continue to play Falstaff on the upcoming tour, which starts July 3.

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In his statement, McKellen said: “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!”

Reps for the show added, “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.”

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