Sir Ian McKellen is spotted for first time since stage fall: Actor, 85, hugs friend outside his London home after spending three nights in hospital following accident during his West End show
Sir Ian McKellen has been photographed for the first time since he was injured in a fall from a West End stage a week ago.
The 85-year-old actor greeted a friend outside his London home yesterday, wearing a wrist brace and holding his glasses in his hand as he received a card.
Sir Ian was playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theater last Monday when he lost his balance in a fight scene and fell off stage.
Following the incident, he was taken to hospital for treatment and the remainder of last Monday and Tuesday’s performances were canceled to allow him to rest.
He was expected to return for Wednesday’s matinee, but it was then revealed that the show would not return until Thursday and a substitute would take his place.
The production ended in London on Saturday with the understudy, but Sir Ian is expected to rejoin the cast when the play goes on tour – starting in Bristol on July 3.
Sir Ian McKellen greets a friend who gives him a card outside his London home yesterday
The friend arrived at Sir Ian McKellen’s home in London yesterday after his accident
Sir Ian McKellen wears a wrist brace and holds his glasses in his hand yesterday
Sir Ian McKellen greets the friend who arrived at his home in London yesterday
Veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen hugged the friend outside his London home yesterday
A man walks past as Sir Ian McKellen greets a friend outside his London home yesterday
Sir Ian announced last Thursday that he was receiving ‘physiotherapy, light exercise and lots of necessary rest at home’ after three nights in hospital.
The actor was in a scene with the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell from the front of the stage, and was heard screaming in pain as staff rushed to help.
In his statement last Thursday, Sir Ian said: ‘After three nights in hospital, the effects of my fall on stage have been fully analyzed and I am now receiving physiotherapy, light exercise and lots of essential rest at home.
‘Meanwhile, my role in Player Kings is being filled by the formidable David Semark, supported by the wonderful production and cast of Robert Icke. I am sure that the many messages of love and support will contribute to the speedy recovery that my doctors have promised me.’
Sir Ian McKellen hugs the friend outside his London home yesterday after his accident
The friend outside Sir Ian McKellen’s London home yesterday after his accident
Sir Ian McKellen holds a card with ‘Ian’ on it as he wears a wrist brace in London yesterday
Sir Ian McKellen looks out from his home in London yesterday, almost a week after his accident
Sir Ian McKellen at his home in London yesterday after returning from hospital last week
A woman walks past as Sir Ian McKellen looks out from his home in London yesterday
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, parts one and two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, ended at the Noel Coward Theater on Saturday.
The play will move to the Bristol Hippodrome next month before being performed in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
A post on the Player Kings Monday September 17. June.’
It added: ‘We look forward to Ian returning to the production, which begins a national tour in Bristol on Wednesday 3 July, before visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.’
Last Friday, audience member Johanna Dart described the dramatic moment when Sir Ian McKellen ‘flied headfirst towards her’ as he fell from the stage, adding: ‘Being crushed by Gandalf the Grey, you don’t expect that.’
Sir Ian McKellen bows at the curtain call during the Player Kings press evening performance at the Noel Coward Theater on April 11
Sir Ian appears in a scene from Player Kings, which is in the West End until June 22
Ms Dart, who was sitting in the front row, said Sir Ian appeared to trip over a prop before falling – with his head hitting her knee ‘quite hard’.
The 30-year-old, from Leatherhead, Surrey, was later pictured sobbing in hospital, where she said she suffered soft tissue injuries following the incident.
Understudy David Semark, 52, takes his place as Falstaff, Shakespeare’s irreverent comic character. Semark said Sir Ian called him to let him know he would be playing the role.
He said: ‘The first person I heard it from was Sir Ian. We then had a discussion about the role… But I’m keeping a place open for Sir Ian. I walk in the shadow of greatness.”
Audience member Paul Critchley said last Monday it was a “shock” to witness the fall.
Norfolk, the Downham Market Methodist minister, recalled how Sir Ian appeared to stumble as he walked off stage to take a more active role in the scene before falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.
Audiences gather outside the Noel Coward theater after being forced to evacuate
London ambulances rush to the scene after the shocking fall in the West End
Sir Ian’s career has spanned more than six decades and has seen the actor perform in theaters across the country.
On screen, he is best known for his roles as Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s fantasy trilogy, based on the books by JRR Tolkien.
On stage he played a number of Shakespearean characters, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus and King Lear.
His many acting credits have led to a number of accolades over the years, including several Olivier Awards.
A spokesman for the Noel Coward Theater said: ‘We are very sorry that this rare accident occurred during a Player Kings performance.
‘We apply the highest safety standards and conduct thorough investigations with the manufacturers.’