LONDON (AP) — Actor Ian McKellen said Monday he is withdrawing from a U.K. tour of his latest play because he needs more time to recover after falling off the stage at a London theater last month.
McKellen, 85, said his 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,” he said in a statement.
The “Lord of the Rings” star spent three nights in a London hospital after tumbling from the stage during a performance of “Player Kings” at the Noel Coward Theatre on June 17.
The play is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s two “Henry IV” history plays, directed by Robert Icke. Several performances were canceled after the incident before the run resumed with understudy Devid Semark in the role of Falstaff.
Producers said Semark would continue to play the part during a national tour that runs July 3-27.
McKellen, who played Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings,” and Magneto in the “X-Men” films, is one of Britain’s most acclaimed Shakespearean actors, with roles including Richard III, Macbeth and King Lear.
He has won a Tony Award — for “Amadeus” — several Olivier Awards, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards, five Emmys and several BAFTA awards.
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Actor Ian McKellen announced on Monday that he would not be joining the U.K. tour of his latest play due to needing more time to recover from a fall off the stage at a London theater last month. The 85-year-old actor mentioned that his injuries are gradually getting better.
In a statement, McKellen expressed regret at accepting the medical advice to focus on his recovery rather than working. Following the incident at the Noel Coward Theatre on June 17, where he fell during a performance of “Player Kings,” he spent three nights in a London hospital.
The play, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s two “Henry IV” history plays directed by Robert Icke, had to cancel several performances after the accident. The show resumed with understudy Devid Semark taking on the role of Falstaff.
Producers confirmed that Semark will continue to portray the character during the national tour scheduled from July 3 to July 27. Ian McKellen, known for his iconic roles as Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” and Magneto in the “X-Men” series, is renowned as one of Britain’s most celebrated Shakespearean actors, having played notable characters like Richard III, Macbeth, and King Lear.
Throughout his career, McKellen has earned numerous accolades, including a Tony Award for “Amadeus,” multiple Olivier Awards, and nominations for two Academy Awards, five Emmys, and several BAFTA awards.
