19 hours ago, André Rhoden-Paul, BBC News
Theatre show Player Kings has postponed its return for another day as Sir Ian McKellen continues his recovery from falling off stage. The actor, 85, cried out in pain and called for help during Monday’s show at the Noël Coward theatre in London.
Sir Ian had been performing in a fight scene when he seemed to lose his footing. He was taken to hospital and the play was cancelled. Producers of the show said on X it would now return on Thursday, and said Sir Ian was recovering well and would perform again when he was ready.
Tuesday’s show had been cancelled shortly after Sir Ian’s stage accident but it had been hoped that the show would resume for Wednesday’s matinee performance. In a statement on X on Tuesday afternoon, Player Kings said: “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.” The show added those with tickets will be contacted.
Player Kings is a production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts One and Two, and started its 12-week West End run in April. The play’s London run is scheduled to end on Saturday, before the show goes on tour to Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
An earlier statement said that following a scan, the NHS had assured the show’s producers the Tony-award winning actor “will make a speedy and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits”. Producers also thanked doctors in the audience who helped the actor.
Sir Ian – who plays John Falstaff – had been circling a battle scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he was seen to fall off the front of the stage. The actor cried out and staff rushed to help, before the theatre was evacuated. The performance was cancelled “so that Ian can rest”, a spokesperson said.
Audience member Paul Critchley, from Downham Market in Norfolk, said it was a “shock” to see Sir Ian fall off stage “directly in front of the audience”.
Sir Ian’s previous Shakespeare credits include roles as Richard II, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, King Lear and Macbeth. He is also set to star as Hamlet, in a new film adaptation directed by Sean Mathias. His on-screen credits include Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, and Magneto in the X-Men movies, as well as roles in Beauty and the Beast, The Da Vinci Code and Mr Holmes.
Five years ago, Sir Ian was forced to cancel a King Lear showing at London’s Duke of York theatre after sustaining a leg injury while running to catch a train, but ensured the audience was in for a good time, by sitting on stage and answering questions.
14 hours ago, Alex Kleiderman, BBC News
Sir Ian McKellen has said he is “looking forward to returning to work” and expects a “complete” recovery after falling from the stage of a West End theatre. The actor, 85, cried out in pain and called for help during the performance of Player Kings at the Noël Coward theatre on Monday evening.
Sir Ian had been performing in a fight scene when he seemed to lose his footing. In a message on X, he thanked people for “their kind messages and support,” adding he was “hugely indebted” to the NHS staff who treated him. Sir Ian added: “My injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses… They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work.”
He did not give further details of his injuries or when he would be back to work. Sir Ian was taken to hospital and the play was halted after the incident. On Tuesday evening, before the actor posted his update, producers said the return of the show would be postponed until Thursday. They said: “We are delighted that Ian is recovering well, and look forward to him returning to the production as soon as he is ready.” They added those with tickets would be contacted.
Player Kings is a production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts One and Two, and started its 12-week West End run in April. The play’s London run is scheduled to end on Saturday, before the show goes on tour to Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
Sir Ian – who plays John Falstaff in the play – had been circling a battle scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he was seen to fall off the front of the stage. Staff rushed to help, before the theatre was evacuated. The rest of the performance was cancelled and Tuesday’s performance also scrapped “so that Ian can rest”, a spokesperson said at the time. Producers also thanked doctors in the audience who helped the Olivier and Tony award-winning actor.
Sir Ian’s previous Shakespeare credits include roles as Richard II, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, King Lear and Macbeth. He is also set to star as Hamlet, in a new film adaptation directed by Sean Mathias. His on-screen credits include Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, and Magneto in the X-Men movies, as well as roles in Beauty and the Beast, The Da Vinci Code and Mr Holmes.
