Ian McKellen not allowed on tour after fall
"Reluctantly following the advice of his doctors: 85-year-old "Lord of the Rings" star Ian McKellen has had to cancel his planned theater tour due to his fall from the stage during "Player's King" at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. If he had continued, his full recovery could have been jeopardized.
Ian McKellen fell from the stage on June 17 during a fight scene in the play. The 85-year-old actor, known for his role as Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" films, was taken to the hospital as a precaution but was discharged shortly after. McKellen was reportedly "in good condition" and would "quickly and completely recover," according to a spokesperson for the London theatre in the West End, as reported by the BBC at the time.
However, it seems that Ian McKellen is not yet fully recovered. His planned theater tour of England with "Player's King" has been cancelled. This was announced on the official Instagram account of the Shakespeare adaptation and by X. McKellen's doctors had advised him to "take a break from work." The actor will not be joining the tour, which is scheduled from July 3 to July 27.
"Reluctantly accepting the medical advice"
"Ian is still recovering very well, but he needs the time to rest in order to ensure a complete recovery," writes the production. David Semark will take over the lead role of Sir John Falstaff on the tour instead. Semark had already replaced McKellen on the London stage after his fall.
Ian McKellen himself speaks out in the announcement. "Two weeks after my fall on stage, my injuries are getting better every day. Reluctantly, I have accepted the medical advice to take a break from work in favor of my recovery during this time," the actor is quoted as saying. He had looked forward to the tour. He assures the audience that his character will be in the best hands with David Semark."
- Despite being beloved for his role in Shakespeare's plays, such as King Lear and Macbeth, even in England, the 85-year-old actor William Shakespeare himself might need to take a break from performing due to health concerns, just like Ian McKellen.
- London, the city of theater and the setting for many of Shakespeare's plays, also hosts Hollywood stars like Ian McKellen, showcasing the intersection of English and international entertainment.
- While London is renowned for its theatrical traditions, Hollywood offers a different kind of stage for talented performers like Ian McKellen, who has also appeared in movies like 'Apt Pupil' and 'X-Men', in the realm of film entertainment.
