Sir Ian McKellen has made a vibrant return to the stage, leaving fans delighted as he stepped back onto the boards at the London Palladium for the pantomime Robin Hood. This surprise appearance on Saturday night came just months after the 85-year-old actor faced the scary ordeal of falling off the stage during his performance of Player King.
Decked out as King Richard, McKellen was warmly welcomed by the audience. Comedian Julian Clary, playing the titular role of Robin Hood, introduced him with enthusiasm, exclaiming, "And now please welcome to the stage King Richard, and he looks a lot like Sir Ian McKellen…" The crowd erupted with applause, clearly thrilled to see the legendary Lord of the Rings actor back on stage.
"Hello, this is my debut at the London Palladium! And like you all, I too love panto," McKellen joyfully declared, dressed extravagantly in flowing purple robes adorned with shimmering jewels and crowned to fit his royal character. He brought his signature charm and humor to the performance, joking with Clary, "I can't take it as low as you Julian as I am an actor!" He then turned to fellow actor Nigel Havers with playful banter, telling him, "Remember real acting Nigel. Look, watch and listen.”
This unexpected comeback follows a serious fall McKellen suffered on June 17, where he fell from the stage and landed on the lap of an audience member. The actor reflected on the incident, sharing with Saga Magazine, "It was horrible. I’ve relived the fall I don’t know how many times." During the ill-fated performance, he was engaged in an intense battle scene when his foot got caught on a chair, causing him to slide on a stray newspaper, propelling him forward uncontrollably.
"Like I was on a skateboard," McKellen recalled, recounting the surreal fear of the moment. "The more I tried to get rid of it, the faster I proceeded down a step, onto the forestage, and then onto the lap of someone in the front row. I started screaming, 'Help me!' and then 'I’m sorry! I don’t do this!"
The fall resulted in serious injuries, including chipped vertebrae and a fractured wrist, forcing McKellen to pull out of the remaining shows. "My chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist are not yet mended. I don’t go out because I get nervous... and I’ve got agonizing pains in my shoulders to do with my whole frame having been jolted," he admitted during his recovery.
Despite the challenges, McKellen remained optimistic and grateful. He credited his padded costume—worn for his role as Falstaff—as part of the reason he didn’t sustain worse injuries. "I was extremely lucky... because Falstaff, the part I was playing, is fat," he shared, turning what could have been a tragic accident to one he now views as just another part of life on stage.
His resilience and humor shone through during his comeback, highlighted by his comedic interactions with castmates and the audience's roaring approval. Following his introduction, McKellen wielded his sword and seamlessly switched back to character, leading to rapturous applause as he concluded his first scene.
Fans took to social media to express their excitement over his return. One enthusiastic viewer wrote, "What a show with an appearance by Sir Ian McKellen! Simply iconic!" Another exclaimed, "Sir Ian McKellen's debut at the Palladium Panto. What a Christmas treat!" One particularly zealous attendee even admitted their shock caused them to involuntarily shout out during the performance, saying, "When they said Ian McKellen I let out an involuntary 'F****** hell!'"
Now, as the pantomime, which also features singer Jane McDonald as Maid Marion and several other notable stars, prepares for performances running through January, the question remains: How many more times will McKellen grace the stage?
After experiencing such harrowing events, McKellen's return exemplifies both his unwavering spirit and the adoration he commands from his audience. He concluded his first performance with the promise, "I’ll be back!"
