A theatergoer has revealed she too ended up in hospital when Sir Ian McKellen fell off stage and landed on her during a performance this week.
Johanna Dart, 30, from Leatherhead in Surrey, had been given front row tickets to see Sir Ian in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theater on Monday 17 June.
But during a fight scene, the 85-year-old Lord of the Rings actor lost his balance and fell into the front row where Mrs Dart was sitting.
Mrs Dart told the BBC today: ‘Being crushed by Gandalf the Gray is not something you expect.’
She said it was an “unforgettable encounter” but not one she necessarily wanted to have with the acting legend who played John Falstaff in the production.
Mrs Dart was helped into the foyer by two women who could tell she was ‘in distress’ before a doctor saw her condition and came to provide care. She was later taken to hospital with soft tissue injuries.
She told the BBC that the whole thing left her in shock and had enjoyed the production until the scene where Sir Ian fell.
Johanna Dart (pictured) had been given front row tickets to see Sir Ian in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theater
Mrs Dart (pictured) with her leg up as a doctor and staff arrive to help
Sir Ian McKellen bows at the curtain call at the Player Kings press evening performance
Recalling the incident, Ms Dart said the actor appeared to ‘trip over this piece of prop’ that was on stage before falling and landing with his head on her knee.
She said staff rushed to help Sir Ian, who was said to be recovering ‘very well’, but felt they did not respond adequately to her injuries or state of shock.
She told the BBC that staff initially “seemed unsure” about what the health and safety protocol was and did not immediately provide assistance.
Although they eventually came to her aid, Ms Dart said they did not order any of the paramedics who arrived to treat Sir Ian to assess her injuries.
She went on to say that staff told her to book her own taxi home despite her being in shock and tears.
Mrs Dart traveled home with her brother before her mother, Angela, joined her in a taxi and they went to Epsom Hospital. She spent the entire night in the hospital’s emergency department.
It was announced on Thursday that Sir Ian would no longer perform in London while he undergoes physiotherapy and recovers.
Understudy David Semark, 52, takes his place as Falstaff.
Paramedics arrive at the Noel Coward Theater after Sir Ian’s fall
After his performance on Thursday night, Semark said Sir Ian called him to let him know he would be playing the role.
Semark said: ‘The great Sir Ian McKellen called me to tell me what was going on, which was great, and [he] was an incredible support during rehearsals.
‘The first person I heard it from was Sir Ian. We then had a discussion about the role. I’ve worked with him for months so we get along great, he’s a friend.’
He continued: “My first thought is of course for my friend, and for the wonderful human being that is Sir Ian McKellen. He called me to tell me what was going on, which was great, and he was incredibly supportive during rehearsals.
“I definitely wouldn’t have had the courage to go there tonight if I didn’t feel like he was behind me with me.
‘But I’m keeping a place open for Sir Ian. I walk in the shadow of greatness…
“I blatantly stole 90% of what he does on that show and tried to make it my own. It’s been an incredibly stressful few days.”
When asked how Sir Ian was doing after the fall, Semark said: “He’s doing very well.”
A post on the Player Kings account on after the final three scheduled performances of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theater in London. his fall on Monday, June 17.’
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.’