Sir Ian McKellen pulls out of 'Player Kings' national tour

The Olivier Award-winning actor had been playing the famous comic character Sir John Falstaff in Robert Icke's modern reworking of Henry IV, parts one and two.

Sir Ian McKellen will not return to the role of Sir John Falstaff in the national tour of Player Kings, following a fall from the stage during a performance in the West End run.

At the show on 17 June at the Noël Coward Theatre, McKellen appeared to lose his footing after performing a fight scene. He was taken to hospital and the play was cancelled that night.

Since then, McKellen's understudy David Semark has been performing the role in the West End, which he will continue to do when the show goes on tour from 3-27 July.

The Olivier Award-winning star said in a statement: "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!"

A statement from the production said: "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.

"As such, he will not be returning to play Sir John Falstaff in the national tour of Players Kings (3-27 July 2024).

"Ian continues to recuperate very well, but he needs the time to rest and ensure a complete recovery. We continue to send him our best wishes.

"As it was for the final West End performances, the role of Falstaff will now be performed by David Semark, Ian's brilliant understudy, for all tour dates of Player Kings."

The 85-year-old actor had been playing the famous comic character Sir John Falstaff in Robert Icke's modern reworking of Henry IV, parts one and two, when he fell from the stage. He then spent three days in hospital recovering.

Photo credit: Sir Ian McKellen in Player Kings. (Photo by Manuel Harlan)