Sir Ian McKellen is doing “very, very well” following his fall from a West End Stage, according to his understudy.
Earlier this week, McKellen fell from the stage during a fight scene from a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre.
The actor lost his footing, falling from the stage, before stage staff came to his aid with the remainder of the performance cancelled.
Despite this, a spokesperson for the theatre said in a statement that Ian McKellen was in “good spirits”, and would make a “speedy and full recovery”.
“Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during this evening’s performance of Player Kings”, they said.
“Following a scan, the brilliant NHS team have assured us that he will make a speedy and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits”.
“walk in the shadow of greatness”
It was later confirmed that Ian McKellen would be taking some time off the stage to recuperate from his injuries, with understudy David Semark deputising in his place as John Falstaff in Player Kings.
“The wonderful Sir Ian McKellen called me to tell me what was going on, which was amazing, and [he] has been incredibly supportive throughout the rehearsals”, Semark said. “The first person I heard it from was Sir Ian”.
He continued: “We then had a discussion about the role. I have worked alongside him for months, so we get on, he’s a friend”.
Semark hails: “wonderful human being” Ian McKellen
Following his opening performance as John Falstaff in McKellen’s absence, David Semark praised the Lord of the Rings star for his unwavering support as he prepared to take on this role.
“Obviously my first thought is for my friend, and the wonderful human being that is Sir Ian McKellen. He called me to tell me what was going on, which was amazing, and has been incredibly supportive throughout the rehearsals”, he said.
“I definitely couldn’t have had the courage to go on there tonight if I didn’t feel that he was behind me with me”.
“But I am holding a place open for Sir Ian. I walk in the shadow of greatness…”.
“I’ve stolen 90% of what he does in that show shamelessly and tried to make it my own”, Semark added. “It’s been an incredibly stressful couple of days”.
When asked about how McKellen’s recovery was shaping up, Semark replied: “He’s doing very very well”.
