A theatregoer has revealed she too ended up in hospital when Sir Ian McKellen tumbled off the stage and landed on her throughout a efficiency this week.
Johanna Dart, 30, from Leatherhead in Surrey, had obtained entrance row tickets to see Sir Ian in a manufacturing of Participant Kings on the Noel Coward Theatre on Monday, June 17.
However throughout a struggle scene, the 85-year-old Lord of the Rings actor misplaced his footing and fell into the entrance row the place Ms Dart was sitting.
Talking to the BBC at this time Ms Dart mentioned: ‘Getting crushed by Gandalf the Gray, that is one thing you do not anticipate’.
She mentioned it was an ‘unforgettable encounter,’ however not one she essentially needed to have with the performing legend who was taking part in John Falstaff within the manufacturing.
Ms Dart was helped to the lobby by two girls who might see she was ‘in misery’, earlier than a physician noticed her situation and got here to offer care. She was later taken to hospital with delicate tissue accidents.
She instructed the BBC she ‘went into shock at the entire thing’ and had been having fun with the manufacturing till the scene the place Sir Ian fell.
Johanna Dart (pictured) had obtained entrance row tickets to see Sir Ian in a manufacturing of Participant Kings on the Noel Coward Theatre
Ms Dart (pictured) along with her leg up as a physician and workers come to assist
Sir Ian McKellen bows on the curtain name throughout the press night time efficiency of Participant Kings
Recalling the incident, Ms Dart mentioned the actor appeared to ‘journey on this little bit of prop’ that was on the stage, earlier than falling and touchdown head-first onto her knee.
She mentioned workers rushed to assist Sir Ian, who is claimed to be recovering ‘very very properly’, however felt they didn’t adequately reply to her accidents or state of shock.
She instructed the BBC that workers initially ‘appeared not sure’ of what the well being and security protocol was and didn’t instantly present help.
Whereas they did finally come to her assist, Ms Dart mentioned they didn’t direct any of the paramedics who had arrived to deal with Sir Ian to evaluate her accidents.
She went on to say that workers instructed her to ebook her personal taxi house, regardless of being in shock and tears.
Ms Dart travelled house along with her brother earlier than her mom, Angela, joined her in a taxi and so they went to Epsom Hospital. She went on to spend all night time within the hospital’s emergency division.
It was introduced on Thursday that Sir Ian wouldn’t be performing once more in London whereas he has physiotherapy and recuperates.
Understudy David Semark, 52, is taking his place as Falstaff.
Paramedics arrive on the Noel Coward Theatre after Sir Ian’s fall
Following his efficiency on Thursday night, Semark mentioned that Sir Ian had referred to as him to let him know he can be taking part in the function.
Semark mentioned: ‘The great Sir Ian McKellen referred to as me to inform me what was happening, which was wonderful, and [he] has been extremely supportive all through the rehearsals.
‘The primary particular person I heard it from was Sir Ian. We then had a dialogue concerning the function. I’ve labored alongside him for months, so we get on, he is a good friend.’
He continued: ‘Clearly my first thought is for my good friend, and the great human being that’s Sir Ian McKellen. He referred to as me to inform me what was happening, which was wonderful, and has been extremely supportive all through the rehearsals.
‘I positively could not have had the braveness to go on there tonight if I did not really feel that he was behind me with me.
‘However I’m holding a spot open for Sir Ian. I stroll within the shadow of greatness…
‘I’ve stolen 90% of what he does in that present shamelessly and tried to make it my very own. It has been an extremely worrying couple of days.’
Requested how Sir Ian was doing following the autumn, Semark replied: ‘He is doing very very properly.’
A submit to the Participant Kings account on X, previously Twitter, on Thursday mentioned: ‘David Semark can be taking part in the function of Sir John Falstaff for the ultimate three scheduled performances of Participant Kings on the Noel Coward Theatre in London whereas Ian McKellen recuperates following his fall on Monday 17 June.’
It added: ‘We sit up for Ian returning to the manufacturing, which begins a nationwide tour in Bristol on Wednesday 3 July, earlier than visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.’
