Ian McKellen Reveals He Injured His 'Wrist and Neck' in Onstage Fall: 'None of Us Ever Wants to Let Down Our Audience'
"My doctors promise a complete recovery - but only if I avoid work over the next few weeks," McKellen wrote
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Ian McKellen ttends the "Bent" 25th anniversary screening and Q&A at the BFI Southbank on September 27, 2022Ian McKellen is detailing the gravity of his recent onstage injury.
The Player Kings star, 85, who fell off stage during a performance at London's Noël Coward theater on Monday, June 17, revealed that the incident left him with injuries to his "wrist and neck."
"Just two weeks after my accident onstage I want to assure my many well-wishers that the injuries (to wrist and neck) are on the mend. My doctors promise a complete recovery - but only if I avoid work over the next few weeks," the actor shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, July 2.
McKellen confirmed that his character, Sir John Falstaff, will continue to be played by his understudy David Semark.
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(L-R) Richard Coyle, Ian McKellen and Toheeb Jimoh bow at the curtain call during the press night performance of "Player Kings" on April 11, 2024Related: Ian McKellen Says He Doesn't Plan to Retire Anytime Soon: 'Why Shouldn't I Carry On?'
"Meanwhile the show goes on and the Player Kings company start their four weeks’ tour without me. My understudy David Semark, who with panache took over for the final performances at the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End of London, will play Falstaff again in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle," McKellen wrote.
The Lord of the Rings actor ended his post by encouraging his fans to see the show regardless of his absence.
"Any actor will say that missing a performance feels somewhat shameful, even when he is not to blame. None of us ever wants to let down our audience," he wrote. "But Robert Icke’s masterful production remains intact. His mis en scene is compelling throughout and his actors, led by Toheeb Jimho and Richard Coyle as Prince Hal and his father, remain on top form. Go see for yourself!"
McKellen's health update comes a day after Player Kings announced that McKellen would continue to take time off to focus on his recovery.
"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," a statement shared by the theater production's account on X read.
The announcement shared that while McKellen would not return to take part in the play's upcoming July tour throughout the U.K., he "continues to recuperate very well."
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"He needs the time to rest and ensure a complete recovery. We continue to send him our best wishes," the statement added.
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