Sir Ian McKellen rushed to the hospital after falling off stage during a performance

Sir Ian McKellen has been taken to the hospital after falling off the stage during a performance at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. McKellen, 85, was performing as John Falstaff in a production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, which began a 12-week run in April as part of a show titled Player Kings on London’s West End.

During a fight scene, he lost his footing and fell. As the house lights came on, the audience heard him cry out, and staff quickly rushed to help. The show was eventually cancelled, and the crowd was evacuated from the theatre.

A theatre spokesman later stated that he was in ‘good spirits’ and expected to ‘make a speedy and full recovery.’

‘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,’ a statement from McKellen’s rep noted.

‘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,’ he added.

The production cancelled the scheduled performance on June 18 to allow McKellen to rest and noted that those affected would be contacted as soon as possible.

‘Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support,’ the statement concluded.

‘Player Kings’, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is set to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham, Norwich, and Newcastle.

About McKellen

McKellen’s career has spanned over six decades. Onscreen, he is best known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s fantasy trilogy based on the books by JRR Tolkien.

On stage, he has portrayed numerous Shakespearean characters, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and King Lear. His extensive acting credits have earned him numerous accolades over the years, including several Olivier Awards.

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