Sir Ian McKellen beamed as he stepped out for a West End production gala in London on Tuesday night after his health problems.
The celebrated actor, 86, smiled for the awaiting cameras as he arrived at the opening of The Importance of Being Earnest at The Noel Coward Theatre – the same venue of his horror fall.
Ian appeared to be in good spirits as he posed for the cameras before entering the theatre on St Martin’s Lane.
He donned a light gray suit, which he wore casually with the jacket unbuttoned, revealing a playful and colourful patterned shirt underneath.
Keeping warm in the cold night, Ian draped a black scarf with a gold decorative trim around his neck.
His public appearance comes less than a month after he mysteriously pulled out of an international premiere for his latest film, The Christophers, on doctor’s orders.
Sir Ian McKellen beamed as he stepped out for a West End production gala in London on Tuesday night after his health problems
The celebrated actor, 86, smiled for the awaiting cameras as he arrived at the opening of The Importance of Being Earnest at The Noel Coward Theatre – the same venue of his horror fall
He donned a light gray suit, which he wore casually with the jacket unbuttoned, revealing a playful and colourful patterned shirt underneath
He made a pre-recorded appearance at the Toronto Film Festival instead, where his latest black comedy movie was being screened.
Sir Ian confirmed his ‘medical advisers’ had told him he shouldn’t fly, adding ‘Better safe than sorry’.
The Christophers, a dark comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh, also stars Michaela Coel, James Corden and Jessica Gunning.
It follows the tales of the estranged children of a once-famous artist who hire a forger to complete his unfinished works so they can be discovered and sold after his death.
Turnaround on the movie was quick – with Sir Ian filming his scenes in February this year – his first work project since his horror West End fall.
In June 2024, the actor, whose career pans six decades, sparked concern when he fell off the stage of the Noel Coward theatre.
The actor, who was playing Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, was hospitalised and suffered a chipped vertebra and fractured wrist forcing him to pull out of the rest of the run.
He later said he felt ‘ashamed’ and ’emotional’ for letting down West End audiences, and said that it had made him ‘aware there isn’t much time left’.
Dame Arlene, 82, opted for a black suit for the evening out, though added a purple jumper underneath to bring a pop of colour
Actor David Tennant was also snapped on the carpet, wearing black shades, as he clutched the show’s official program ahead of the performance
Presenter Gaby Roslin wore an on-brand pink coat to the venue, with a white stripped jumper and navy trousers underneath
Loose Women star Jane, 63, dazzled in a blue velvet suit, wearing a white embroidered blouse underneath
TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh looked dapper in a black suit, though made his look more daring by unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his bare chest
Stephen Fry bows at the curtain call during the press night performance on Tuesday
Shobna Gulati (L) and Hugh Dennis on stage together at the end of the second act before the curtain call
Olly Alexander pictured on stage at the Noel Coward Theatre
After his fall, Sir Ian put on a brave face as he turned up to surprise the cast of Player Kings in Newcastle after he was forced to withdraw from the show.
Meanwhile, other stars snapped on Tuesday night for the opening of Being Earnest included Dame Arlene Phillips and David Tennant.
Following them on the carpet was Jane Moore, Gaby Roslin and Dr Ranj Singh.
Loose Women star Jane, 63, dazzled in a blue velvet suit, wearing a white embroidered blouse underneath.
Dame Arlene, 82, opted for a black suit for the evening out, though added a purple jumper underneath to bring a pop of colour.
Presenter Gaby Roslin wore an on-brand pink coat to the venue, with a white stripped jumper and navy trousers underneath.
