Ian McKellen's understudy will perform in the play Player Kings for its final London dates while he recuperates following a fall from the stage on Monday.
The veteran screen and stage actor, 85, was performing at the Noel Coward Theatre when he lost his footing in a fight scene and fell from the stage.
After the accident, he was taken to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday's performances were cancelled to allow him to rest.
A post on the Player Kings X account on Thursday said: "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."
pic.twitter.com/6WvfOeKlmR
— Player Kings (@PlayerKingsPlay) June 20, 2024
The final London performances are taking place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
McKellen is having physiotherapy while he recuperates.
A statement sent on his behalf to the PA news agency by his publicist Clair Dobbs 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 Shakespeare's Henry IV, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is due to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July.
McKellen's career has spanned more than six decades and has seen the actor perform at theatres around the world.
On the screen, he is most known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, based on the books by JRR Tolkien.
Source: Press Association
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