Ian McKellen is “recovering well” after falling from the stage during a performance of Player Kings but the West End show will be cancelled until Thursday, the production has said.
The actor, 85, was portraying the Shakespearean character John Falstaff at the Noël Coward theatre in London on Monday when he lost his footing during a fight scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy.
McKellen was taken to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of Monday and Tuesday’s performances were cancelled to allow him to rest.
The Lord of the Rings actor had been expected to return for Wednesday’s matinee performance but the show has now been cancelled until Thursday. In a statement posted on X, the producers said they “look forward to him returning to the production as soon as he is ready”.
“The performance on Wednesday 19 June will be cancelled following Ian McKellen’s fall during the performance of Player Kings on Monday (17 June),” the statement said. “Bookers for the affected performance will be contacted by their point of purchase directly. We look forward to welcoming audiences back to the Noël Coward theatre on Thursday 20 June.
“We are delighted that Ian is recovering well, and look forward to him returning to the production as soon as he is ready. We will keep audiences updated regarding remaining performances this week.”
On Monday evening, the audience was evacuated from the West End theatre and informed that the evening show was cancelled. An audience member, Paul Critchley, a Methodist minister from Norfolk, told the PA news agency: “Sir Ian seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene.
“He picked up momentum as he moved downstage, which resulted in him falling off the stage directly in front of the audience. The house lights came up very quickly as the stage management and front of house team dealt with the incident.”
Player Kings, a production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts I and II, started its 12-week West End run in April. The play, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is due to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
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McKellen’s career has spanned more than six decades. On screen 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 played Shakespearean characters including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus and King Lear. His many acting credits have led to numerous accolades over the years including several Olivier awards.