How Ian McKellen, 85, 'cried out in pain' after falling off stage during ...
Sir Ian McKellen has been hospitalized after falling off the stage during a performance on the West End in London on Monday night.
The 85-year-old actor reportedly lost his footing in the middle of a fight scene in “Player Kings” at the Noël Coward theatre, according to the BBC.
McKellen “cried out in pain” and was “calling for help” when he fell off the stage.
A staff member rushed to help McKellen, according to the BBC, and the actor was taken to the hospital.
The play was canceled and the audience was evacuated after the incident.
A spokesperson for the theatre released a statement with an update on McKellen’s condition.
“Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during this evening’s performance of ‘Player Kings’,” the statement to Entertainment Weekly read.
“Following a scan, the brilliant NHS team have assured us that he will make a speedy and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits.
“The production has made the decision to cancel the performance on Tuesday 18 June so Ian can rest. Those affected will be contacted by their point of purchase as soon as possible tomorrow. Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.”
The Post has reached out to reps for for McKellen and Noël Coward theatre for comment.
An audience member told the BBC that the mishap involving McKellen was “very shocking.”
“As far as I saw, he was conscious because he was asking for assistance,” the person added.
British journalist Charlie Johnson was at the performance and posted about McKellen’s fall on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Just witnessed Ian Mckellan severely injure himself after falling off stage at Noel Coward Theatre. Sir Ian could be heard screaming in pain as ushers rushed to his aid. Show cancelled as he is treated by ambulance crews. Wish him all the best,” Johnson wrote.
McKellen is expected to return to the stage Wednesday for the matinee performance of the play, per the BBC.
“Player Kings” is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Henry IV Parts 1 and 2.”
The production started its 12-week run in April.
McKellen plays Falstaff, a companion to Prince Hal, who later becomes King Henry V of England.
The “X-Men” actor told the BBC in April that he almost turned down the role of Falstaff, but was convinced to do it by director Robert Icke.
McKellen said that Icke has “turned Falstaff into a believable character rather than an exaggeration”.