Sep 3, 2024, 10:54 AM
Sep 2, 2024, 7:40 AM

Ian McKellen falls during Player King performance in London

Tragic
Highlights
  • Sir Ian McKellen fell during a fight scene in Player King on June 17, resulting in injuries.
  • He was wearing a fat suit that helped protect him from more serious harm during the fall.
  • Despite his injuries, he expressed a desire to return to the stage and apologized for missing performances.
Story

On June 17, during a performance of Player King at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End, Sir Ian McKellen experienced a significant fall while performing a fight scene. The 85-year-old actor lost his footing, which led him to slide off the stage and into the audience, resulting in multiple injuries including a chipped vertebrae and a fractured wrist. Fortunately, he was wearing a fat suit for his role as Falstaff, which helped cushion the impact and prevented more severe injuries. Sir Ian described the incident as a pure accident, attributing it to a combination of factors including his foot getting caught in a chair and slipping on newspaper scattered on stage. He humorously likened his fall to being on a skateboard, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the mishap. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, he did not lose consciousness and remained aware throughout the incident. Due to his injuries, Sir Ian was unable to continue with the tour, expressing regret for missing performances in cities like Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, and Newcastle. He reassured fans that he would return to the stage, stating, 'I'll be back.' The actor also mentioned that he has been receiving support from his neighbors during his recovery, as he has been hesitant to go out due to concerns about further accidents. In a light-hearted note, he shared that he misses participating in the pub quiz at The Grapes, a pub he co-owns in East London. Sir Ian remains optimistic about future performances and hinted at the possibility of reprising his role in upcoming productions.

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