Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen forced to pull out of Hippodrome show after stage collapse

Sir Ian McKellen has been forced to pull out of his Bristol Hippodrome show this week. The veteran actor was due to play Falstaff in Player Kings from Wednesday 3rd July to Saturday 6th July.

But the 85-year-old Lord of the Rings star was told he must recover last month after falling on stage at the Noël Coward Theater in London’s West End. He was acting in a fight scene when he appeared to lose his footing and fell off the stage.

An email sent to Bristol Hippodrome ticket holders says it has been confirmed today that Sir Ian will not be performing at the theater as he continues to recover. Understudy David Semark will now play Sir John Falstaff.

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The show’s producers said: “Ian continues to recover very well but needs time to rest and ensure a full recovery. We continue to send him our best wishes.”

Sir Ian said: “Two weeks after my accident on stage, my injuries are improving day by day. It was with the greatest reluctance that I accepted the doctor’s advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime.

“I was looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theatergoers 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 stunning as ever. Go see for yourself!”

All ticket holders who no longer wish to attend the show have been told to contact the Racecourse’s customer service team before the show.