Ian McKellen will not return to the national tour of “Players Kings” after a fall on stage two weeks ago led to his hospitalization.
The actor had previously announced that he would not finish the play’s West End runs, but was expected to return to the production for its tour to Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. But the official “Players Kings” X account shared the news on Monday that McKellen will need more time to recover. David Semark will take over the role of Sir John Falstaff from McKellen.
“Two weeks after my stage accident, my injuries are improving day by day. “I have most reluctantly accepted medical advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime,” McKellen said in a statement. “I was really looking forward to bringing ‘Player Kings’ to viewers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. But I can assure you that, with David Semark now playing Falstaff, Robert Icke’s production and his company of actors remain as dazzling as ever. Go see for yourself!
McKellen was hospitalized after falling off stage during a performance on June 17. The 85-year-old was reportedly performing a battle scene when he fell, and the crowd was evacuated and the rest of the performance cancelled.
In a statement the next day, McKellen said his recovery would be “complete and rapid.”
“I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support,” McKellen said. “Since the accident, during a Player Kings performance last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a range of experts, specialists and nurses working for the NHS. To them, of course, I am enormously indebted. “They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and quick and I hope to return to work.”