Sir Ian McKellen embraces dramatic new look as he attends play after horror fall
Sir Ian McKellen was seen with a shaved head and face while watching the final day of Player Kings in the wake of his tumble off stage which caused him to pull out of the West End production.
Sir Ian McKellen attended the last day of Player Kings after his understudy had to step in and play the William Shakespeare character Sir John Falstaff after his stage fall.
The esteemed actor, aged 85, has been recuperating from injuries to his wrist and neck after a mishap during a Player Kings fight scene in June at the West End's Noel Coward Theatre.
Regrettably, he had to withdraw from Player Kings, a rendition of Henry IV parts one and two directed by Robert Icke, earlier this month on medical advice.
On Saturday, Sir Ian shared an Instagram post featuring a photo of his freshly trimmed hair, signifying the end of his role as Prince Hal's unruly drinking companion, the future Henry V of England.
He captioned the post: "On the day of the 101st and final performance of Player Kings - without me - I celebrated by removing Falstaff's hair, which has been growing for nine months. I will be in the audience for the matinee in Newcastle."
David Semark, his understudy, took over the role for the remainder of the West End run and continued to portray the character throughout the national tour, including at Newcastle's Theatre Royal.
Sir Ian previously reassured his fans that his injuries are "on the mend" and his doctors have promised he will make a "complete recovery" if he avoids working for the next few weeks.
Following the accident, he was taken to hospital for treatment and assured that Icke's "masterful production remains intact", despite his absence.
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"Any actor will say that missing a performance feels somewhat shameful, even when he is not to blame," he said. "None of us ever wants to let down our audience."
Semark honed his craft at the prestigious Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art (Rada) and boasts a portfolio of work on popular TV series such as EastEnders, Doctors, Law & Order UK, and The Bill.
He has previously expressed to PA news agency his reverence for the roles he undertakes, saying he was walking "in the shadow of greatness" and asserting that he wouldn't have taken the step without Sir Ian "behind me".
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Sir Ian, renowned for his portrayal of iconic Shakespearean figures like Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and King Lear, is also celebrated for his roles as Magneto in the X-Men franchise and Gandalf in Peter Jackson's epic The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
Fans from across the globe sent their well-wishes to the actor following the news of his fall.
Sir Ian spent three days in hospital recuperating after his fall before a course of physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home.
