Sir Ian McKellen has been pictured for the first time since he was injured after falling from a West End stage a week ago.
The 85-year-old actor greeted a friend outside his London home yesterday, wearing a wrist support and holding his glasses in his hand as he was handed 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 the stage.
Following the incident, he was taken to hospital for treatment and the rest 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 later revealed that the show would not return until Thursday with a replacement taking his place.
The production finished 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 hands him a card outside his home in London yesterday.
The friend arrives at Sir Ian McKellen’s home in London yesterday after his accident
Yesterday Sir Ian McKellen is seen wearing a wristband and holding his glasses in his hand.
Sir Ian McKellen greets friend who arrived at his home in London yesterday
Veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen hugs his friend outside his London home yesterday.
A man walks past as Sir Ian McKellen greets a friend outside his home in London yesterday.
Sir Ian announced last Thursday that he was receiving “physiotherapy, light exercise and plenty of essential rest at home” after three nights in hospital.
The actor was in a scene involving 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.
Speaking last Thursday, Sir Ian said: “After three nights in hospital, the effects of my fall on stage have been fully assessed and I am now receiving physiotherapy, light exercise and plenty of essential rest at home.
“Meanwhile, my role on Player Kings is played by the redoubtable David Semark, supported by Robert Icke’s incredible production and cast. I’m sure the many messages of love and support will help me achieve the speedy recovery my doctors have given me.” fiance”.
Sir Ian McKellen hugs his friend outside his London home yesterday after his accident.
The friend outside Sir Ian McKellen’s home in London yesterday after his accident.
Sir Ian McKellen holds a card with “Ian” on it while wearing a wristband in London yesterday.
Sir Ian McKellen looks on from his home in London yesterday, almost a week after his accident.
Sir Ian McKellen at his London home yesterday after returning from hospital last week.
A woman walks past as Sir Ian McKellen looks on from his home in London yesterday.
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, parts one and two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, ended its run at the Noel Coward Theater on Saturday.
The play will move to Bristol Hippodrome next month before being performed in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
A post on the Player Kings 17″. June.’
He added: “We look forward to Ian returning to the production, which will begin a national tour in Bristol on Wednesday, July 3, before visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.”
Last Friday, audience member Johanna Dart described the dramatic moment Sir Ian McKellen “flew headlong” into her when he fell off the stage, adding: “Being crushed by Gandalf the Grey, that’s something I don’t like. you hope or you wait”.
Sir Ian McKellen at the Player Kings press night presentation at the Noel Coward on April 11
Sir Ian performs in a scene from Player Kings, which was in the West End until Saturday.
Mrs Dart, who was in the front row, said Sir Ian appeared to trip on a stage prop before falling, and his head hit her knee “quite hard”.
The 30-year-old woman, from Leatherhead, Surrey, was later pictured sobbing in hospital, where she said she was taken with soft tissue injuries after the incident.
Understudy David Semark, 52, will take his place as Falstaff, Shakespeare’s irreverent comic character. Semark said that Sir Ian had called him to inform him that he would be playing the role.
He said: ‘The first person I heard it from was Sir Ian. Then we had a discussion about the role… But I have a spot 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.
The Methodist minister from Downham Market, Norfolk, recalled how Sir Ian appeared to stumble as he came off the stage to take a more active part in the scene before falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.
Members of the public gathered outside London’s Noel Coward Theater on Monday.
Paramedics at the scene of the accident in London’s West End on Monday after the fall
Sir Ian’s career spans more than six decades and has seen the actor perform in theaters across the country.
On screen he is best known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s fantasy trilogy, based on the books by JRR Tolkien.
On stage he has played several Shakespearean characters, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus and King Lear.
His numerous acting credits have earned him numerous accolades over the years, including several Olivier Awards.
A spokesperson for the Noel Coward Theater said: “We are very sorry that this freak accident occurred during a performance of Player Kings.
“We maintain the highest safety standards and are conducting a thorough investigation with producers.”
