Ian McKellen makes surprise return to the stage six months after horrific fall
Sir Ian McKellen has made a surprise theatre comeback six months after his onstage fall.
In June, the legendary actor was left with wrist and neck injuries after falling off the stage mid-performance in Player Kings at London’s Noël Coward Theatre.
Now, for the first time since his major fall, the 85-year-old has returned to the stage.
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The Lord of the Rings shocked the crowd over the weekend when he appeared mid-performance at the London Palladium showing of the pantomime Robin Hood.
Comedian Julian Clary reportedly introduced the star on stage for his unscheduled role.
“And now please welcome to the stage King Richard, and he looks a lot like Sir Ian McKellen…” Clary said, per Metro.
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McKellen appeared on stage in a grand white fur robe and gold-adorned crown.
In pictures posted to X (formerly Twitter), the star was seen standing on a chariot on the stage with a sword in hand for his performance as King Richard.
“Hello, this is my debut at the London Palladium! And like you all I too love panto,” McKellen said on stage, referring to the pantomime.
“I can’t take it as low as you Julian as I am an actor!” he said to the comedian.
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“Remember real acting Nigel. Look, watch and listen,” McKellen jokingly jabbed at actor and presenter Nigel Havers, who plays Friar Tuck in the production.
The surprise appearance comes after McKellen announced in September he would take the rest of the year off from acting following his stage fall.
On June 17, McKellen was taken to hospital after he fell off the front of the stage during a fight scene in Player Kings.
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Lord of the Rings stars attend The War of the Rohirrim event
The actor had been playing John Falstaff in the theatre production, based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV, since April. After the fall, he pulled out of the remaining shows.
“I’m left feeling weak physically, which I’m doing exercises for,” he told The Big Issue three months on from the fall.
The star added, “Of course, it’s emotional.”
“I’m usually working or preparing to work, I’ve been doing a little bit of that, wondering what might be the best plan. I’m going to take the rest of the year off. Not because I need to, just because I want to,” he told the outlet.
While McKellen has taken a break from acting, that hasn’t exempted him from public appearances.
The X-Men star was seen earlier this month on the red carpet at the Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London.
McKellen reunited with many of his former Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit co-stars, including Australian actress Cate Blanchett.
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