Ian McKellen won’t now return to play in the remaining performances of Player Kings following a recent accident that saw him fall from the stage during a show.The veteran Lord Of The Rings actor was performing at the Noël Coward Theatre on June 17 when he fell from the stage, reportedly breaking his wrist and sustaining other injuries.McKellen was originally expected to return for last month’s performance on June 19, after a hopeful update on his recovery was shared.However, it was later announced that the 85-year-old actor will not perform the remaining three London shows.There was hope he would return to the play when it moves to Bristol on July 3 and for other subsequent national performances, but in a statement yesterday evening (July 1) the actor revealed he would be taking time away “with the greatest reluctance” to “protect my full recovery”.A post shared by Player Kings (@playerkingsplay)McKellen said: “Two weeks after my accident onstage, my injuries improve day by day.
It’s with the greatest reluctance that I have accepted the medical advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime.“I had been so looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theatregoers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
But I can assure them that, with David Semark now playing Falstaff, Robert Icke’s production and his acting company remain as dazzling as ever.
Go see for yourself.”The production team added: “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.
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