Ian McKellen Withdraws From U.K. Tour of Play After Falling Off Theater Stage

Ian McKellen will not appear on the U.K. tour of his Shakespearean theater production after he fell off the stage during a performance in London.

The 85-year-old Lord of the Rings actor was starring as John Falstaff in a production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, which began a 12-week run as part of a show titled Player Kings on the West End in April.

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On June 17, he lost his footing and fell during a fight scene at the Noël Coward theater. Audience members reported hearing McKellen cry out and the show was eventually canceled. The crowd was evacuated from the theater.

In a statement on Monday, McKellen said it is “with the greatest reluctance” that while he is expected to make a full recovery, he has accepted medical advice by not working in the meantime.

“I had been so looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theater-goers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle,” the actor said. “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 team behind Player Kings added on the X post that McKellen “continues to recuperate very well, but he needs the time to rest and ensure a complete recovery.”

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