Ian McKellen - Tour canceled after stage crash
Ian McKellen (85) cannot join the tour. The England tour with the theater piece "Player Kings" starts too soon after his fall from the stage on June 17, as announced by the official channel of the Shakespeare adaptation via X.
Doctors had advised Ian McKellen to take a break from work to fully recover. Therefore, he will miss the tour, which runs from July 3 to July 27.
"Ian is recovering well, but he needs the time to rest and ensure a complete recovery," the production wrote. "We send him our best wishes." David Semark takes over the main role of Sir John Falstaff on the tour in place of Ian McKellen. Semark had already replaced McKellen as Gandalf's actor from "The Lord of the Rings" films on the London stage after his fall.
Ian McKellen: "Reluctantly accepted medical advice"
Ian McKellen himself also speaks in the statement. "Two weeks after my fall on stage, my injuries are getting better from day to day," the actor says.
"I reluctantly accepted medical advice to protect my complete recovery and not work during this time," McKellen is quoted as saying. He had looked forward to the tour, but he assures the audience that his character is in the best hands with David Semark.
Ian McKellen was taken to the hospital nearly two weeks ago during a fight scene on stage. The stage veteran was then admitted to the hospital. Already the next day, Ian McKellen wrote via X to his fans. The medical staff in the clinic assured him that his recovery "will be complete and quick, and I am looking forward to returning to my workplace." As it turns out, this was probably overly optimistic.
- The stage crash on June 17 resulted in an injury for Ian McKellen, forcing him to miss the tour start in England.
- Due to his stage crash and subsequent injury, Ian McKellen had to cancel his part in the "Player Kings" tour, which runs from July 3 to July 27.
- Shakespeare's "Player Kings" tour in England would've seen Ian McKellen as Sir John Falstaff, but following his fall, the role was taken over by David Semark.
- Ian Mckellen, known for his role as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings," had to relinquish his role to Semark after his injury, with Semark once again replacing him for the London stage performance.
- Despite doctors advising him to rest due to his injury from a stage crash, Ian McKellen expressed his eagerness for the tour, assuring audience members that his character is in capable hands with David Semark.
