Renowned for his Shakespearean roles, the legendary actor's recent onstage fall has left fans and theater-goers disappointed as he steps away from the national tour of 'Player Kings' to ensure a full recovery.
- Jul 2, 2024
AceShowbiz - Esteemed actor Ian McKellen has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the national tour of the Shakespearean play "Player Kings" following a significant fall from the stage that occurred on June 17. The 85-year-old actor was performing a fight scene during a West End run of the play at the Noel Coward Theatre in London when he lost his footing and fell off the stage, leading to the cancellation of the performance and evacuation of the audience. Two doctors from the audience immediately rushed to McKellen's aid, and he was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
The legendary actor, who is known for his rich portrayals of Shakespeare's characters, including Macbeth, King Lear and Richard III, was expected to recover swiftly. A statement from the theater after the incident noted that McKellen was "in good spirits" and anticipated making a full recovery. Despite this, McKellen's doctors have advised that he take more time off to rest and recuperate fully. McKellen expressed his reluctance but acknowledged the necessity of following medical advice to ensure his health is fully restored.
McKellen shared his thoughts via a statement, "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!"
David Semark, McKellen's understudy, had already stepped in for the final three performances of the West End run and will continue in the role for the entirety of the national tour, scheduled from July 3 to July 27. The play, adapted by Robert Icke, combines both parts of Shakespeare's "Henry IV" and has garnered positive reviews. McKellen's omission from the full tour is a significant change, but the production team remains confident in Semark's portrayal of John Falstaff.
McKellen's career spans over many decades, earning accolades and acclaim for his Shakespearean performances. Prior to his fall, his role in "Player Kings" had been highly praised. Although his absence is a setback, the commitment of the entire cast and crew ensures that audiences will still experience an outstanding production.
