Sir Ian McKellen, 85, is back on his feet as he attends The Critic premiere – two months after horror stage fall that left him feeling ‘guilty and ashamed’
Sir Ian McKellen was in high spirits as he attended the London premiere of The Critic on Monday.
The 85-year-old actor was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End on June 17 when he lost his balance during a fight scene and fell offstage into the audience.
He suffered a broken vertebra and a broken wrist when he fell off stage, but got back up when his new film was launched.
And while the Lord Of The Rings star is still “dealing with it emotionally,” he had a blast as he started his thriller.
He spoke candidly about how he felt after the incident: Sky News: ‘I felt ashamed, I felt like I was letting the audience down and I felt guilty.’
Sir Ian McKellen was in high spirits as he attended the London premiere of The Critic on Monday
The actor, 85, was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End on June 17 when he lost his balance in a fight scene and fell from the stage into the audience
The Shakespearean actor wore a checked suit for the evening and accessorised with a dark green polka dot neckerchief.
He completed the look with a rainbow tie and a pair of smart brown shoes for the glamorous occasion.
Set in 1930s London, the new film follows the life of theatre critic Jimmy Erskine, played by Sir Ian.
He was joined by co-stars Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong for the occasion, and the three looked overjoyed.
At one point he kissed the St Trinian’s actress, who plays stage actress Nina Land in the film, on the cheek.
In his first interview since the fall, Ian Saga Magazine that he had broken his spine and fractured his wrist when he fell off the stage. However, he admitted that his fatsuit had saved him from more serious injuries.
The Vicious star said he is suffering from “agonizing” pain, which has left him unable to go outside and even… and wonders if he’s “too old to act.”
He was joined by co-stars Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong for the occasion, and the trio looked overjoyed (L-R: Gemma Arterton, Ian McKellen and Mark Strong)
The Vicious star was clearly delighted to see acclaimed actress Gemma and the couple happily posing together
The Vicious star was clearly delighted to see acclaimed actress Gemma and the couple happily posing together
At one point he planted a kiss on the cheek of the St Trinian’s actress, who plays stage star Nina Land in the film
In July, Sir Ian shared a health update with his legions of fans via X, formerly Twitter
Ian, who now wears a neck brace and wrist brace, said: ‘My chipped vertebra and broken wrist have not healed yet.’
I, who now wears a neck brace and wrist brace, said, “My broken vertebra and broken wrist have not healed yet.
He then explained: ‘I don’t go outside because I’m afraid someone will bump into me. Also, I have terrible pain in my shoulders because my whole body has been shaken.’
“But I wore a fat suit for Falstaff and that saved my ribs and other joints. So I was really lucky.”
He added: ‘I’ve relived that fall I don’t know how many times. It was horrible.’