Although Ian McKellen has entertained countless people around the world with his movie and TV show appearances, as is the case with so many actors, he got his start on the stage and continues to go back there. Since April, McKellen has been keeping busy at the Noël Coward Theatre in London, England with Player Kings, an adaptation of Henry IV Parts One and Part Two that began its 12-week run on the West End back in April. Unfortunately, word’s come in that McKellen fell off stage during his most recent performance, though the good news is he’s expected to make a “speedy and full recovery” after being hospitalized.
The BBC reported that Ian McKellen lost his footing while performing a fight scene during the production and lost his footing, causing him to fall. The publication stated that when the house lights came up, “the actor cried out and staff rushed to help.” The audience was subsequently evacuated from the theatre and the Tuesday performance was cancelled. A statement from McKellen’s representative has since provided the following update (via THR):
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. 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 statement also included thanks to “doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience,” and to “all the venue staff for their support. This injury follows five years after McKellen hurt his leg while running to catch a train in London, which resulted in that night’s performance of King Lear at the Duke of York theatre being cancelled. In that case though, he conducted a Q&A onstage to entertain those who’d come to see the production.
More to come…
