Ian McKellen will not perform in the final three shows of the West End run of “Player Kings” after suffering a fall on Monday.
“Player Kings” announced on social media on Thursday that David Semark would take over McKellen’s role for its final performances in London. However, McKellen is still set to return when the play’s national tour kicks off in Bristol on July 3.
“David Semark will be playing the role of Sir John Falstaff for the final three scheduled performances of ‘Player Kings’ at the Noël Coward Theatre in London while Ian McKellen recuperates following his fall on Monday 17 June,” the statement reads. “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.”
McKellen was hospitalized after falling off the stage during a performance on Monday. The 85-year-old was reportedly performing a battle scene when he fell, and the crowd was evacuated and the rest of the performance canceled.
In a statement the following day, McKellen said his recovery would be “complete and speedy.”
“I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support,” McKellen said. “Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of course, I am hugely indebted. They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work.”
“Player Kings,” which is a production of William Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Parts One and Two,” started its 12-week run on the West End in April.