Sir Ian McKellen has been photographed for the first time since he was injured in a fall from a West End stage a week ago.
The 85-year-old actor greeted a friend outside his home in London yesterday, wearing a wrist support and holding his glasses in his hand as he was given a card.
Sir Ian was playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre last Monday when he lost his footing in a fight scene and fell from the stage.
After the incident, he was taken to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of last Monday and Tuesday’s performances were cancelled to allow him to rest.
He had been expected to return for Wednesday’s matinee, but it was then revealed that the show would not return until Thursday with an understudy taking his place.
The production ended 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 announced last Thursday that he was having ‘physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot 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 off the front of the stage, and was heard to cry out in pain as staff rushed to help.
In his statement last Thursday, Sir Ian said: ‘After three nights in hospital, the effects of my fall onstage have been fully analysed and I’m now having physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home.
‘Meanwhile, my part in Player Kings is filled by the redoubtable David Semark supported by Robert Icke’s amazing production and cast. The many messages of love and support will, I am sure, aid the speedy recovery that my doctors have promised me.’
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, parts one and two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, ended its run at the Noel Coward Theatre on Saturday.
The play will then move to the Bristol Hippodrome next month before being staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
A post on the Player Kings X account said last Thursday: ‘David Semark will be playing the role of Sir John Falstaff for the final three scheduled performances of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London while Ian McKellen recuperates following his fall on Monday 17 June.’
It added: ‘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.’
Last Friday, audience member Johanna Dart described the dramatic moment Sir Ian McKellen ‘flew head first’ into her when he fell off stage, adding: ‘Getting crushed by Gandalf the Grey, that’s something you don’t expect.’
Ms Dart, who was in the front row, said Sir Ian seemed to trip on a stage prop before falling – with his head hitting her knee ‘quite hard’.
The 30-year-old, 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, is taking his place as Falstaff, Shakespeare’s irreverent comic character. Semark said Sir Ian had called him to let him know he would be playing the role.
He said: ‘The first person I heard it from was Sir Ian. We then had a discussion about the role… But I am holding a place open for Sir Ian. I walk in the shadow of greatness.’
Audience member Paul Critchley said last Monday that it was a ‘shock’ to witness the fall.
The Methodist minister from Downham Market, Norfolk recalled how Sir Ian seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene before falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.
Sir Ian’s career has spanned more than six decades and seen the actor perform at theatres around 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 from JRR Tolkien.
On the stage he has played a number of Shakespearean characters including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and King Lear.
His many acting credits have led to a number of accolades over the years including several Olivier Awards.
A spokesman for the Noel Coward Theatre said: ‘We are very sorry this rare accident occurred during a performance of Player Kings.
‘We maintain the highest standards of safety and are conducting a thorough investigation with the producers.’