Sir Ian McKellen is set for "a speedy and full recovery" after falling from stage, according to a spokesperson for the Noël Coward theatre, where the accident happened on the evening of June 17.
McKellen was playing the role of Sir John Falstaff in Player Kings, Robert Icke's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, which started its 12-week West End run in April. He was in a fight scene involving the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Northumberland-played by Toheeb Jimoh and Nigel Lister, respectively-when "he seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene. He picked up momentum...which resulted in him falling off the stage directly in front of the audience," recalled Revd. Paul Critchley, who witnessed the event. McKellen was wearing prosthetics to emulate Falstaff's rotund figure.
"The house lights came up very quickly as the stage management and front of house team dealt with the incident. We were evacuated immediately so that Sir Ian could be treated in privacy.
An ambulance was immediately called, and management cancelled the rest of the evening's performance, as well as the performance for the following day to allow McKellen to rest. Theater management also thanked "doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support."
The 85-year-old McKellen is celebrated for his roles on both stage and screen, which include Gandalf in the Lord of the Ring films, and Richard II, Richard III, King Lear and Macbeth, among others. In an interview with The Times, he revealed that he often wonders if the roles he accepts will be his last.
Other roles may still come after Sir John Falstaff, however: following a scan, McKellen was confirmed to be on the road to recovery, and will return for Wednesday's matinee performance. Player Kings will then be staged at the Bristol Hippodrome in July, followed by stagings in Birmingham, Norwich, and Newcastle.
