Sir Ian McKellen withdraws from London play on 'medical advice' following stage fall
The actor suffered a fall from the stage last month
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Sir Ian McKellen has said it is with “the greatest reluctance” he is taking medical advice to “protect my recovery” and withdraw from his theatre tour following his fall from a West End stage.
Last month, the Lord of the Rings star had been performing in a fight scene in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in the capital when the incident happened.
According to reports, the actor lost his balance and fell from the stage.
The following day he released a statement confirming he would be back for the next performance but it seems he has now been advised not to complete the tour.
The acting legend was reportedly "screaming in agony" following the shock fall on June 17. He landed on an audience member who also required medical attention.
Fans were pleased when he updated them the following day to say he was recovering, but today he shared: "Two weeks after my accident onstage, my injuries improve day by day.
The Lord of the Rings legend worried fans but assured them he had made a full recovery
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"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!"
The production also made a statement which read: "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.
McKellen is withdrawing from the play on 'medical advice'
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"As such, he will not be returning to play Sir John Falstaff in the national tour of Players Kings (July 3-27, 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."
Player Kings merges and condenses Shakespeare's Henry IV parts one and two.
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The actor has now pulled out of the final performance
PA
After McKellen's fall, the play was cancelled for the night and the actor soon shared a message of thanks with fans who had supported him.
At the time, he wrote on X: "I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support.e wrote on X: "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 National Health Service.
"To them, of course, I am hugely indebted. They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work. Thanks to @dobbsCLD."
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