Sir Ian McKellen is expected to make a full recovery after suffering an onstage accident during a performance of Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre in London.
A spokesperson for the show confirmed this evening that the respected 85-year-old actor received immediate medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.
Their full statement reads: “We thank our audience and the public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during tonight’s performance of Player Kings. Following a scan, the excellent NHS team have assured us that he will make a quick and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits. The production has decided to cancel the performance on Tuesday 18 June to allow Ian to rest. Those affected will be contacted by their point of sale as soon as possible tomorrow. “Thank you to Doctors Rachel and Lee in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.”
The incident occurred during a fight scene when he was portraying John Falstaff, lost his footing and fell from the front of the stage. When the lights came on, Sir Ian screamed in pain and theatre staff immediately rushed to his aid. The audience was immediately evacuated and the evening’s performance was cancelled.
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, began its 12-week West End run in April. Ian McKellen plays Falstaff in a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by award-winning writer and director Robert Icke.
The cast includes Ian McKellen as Sir John Falstaff, Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso & Romeo and Juliet) as Prince Harry and Richard Coyle (Ink & Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets) as King Henry IV, with Raphael Akuwudike (Prince John), Sara Beharrell (Snare/Davy), Samuel Edward-Cook (Hotspur/Pistol), Geoffrey Freshwater (Bardolph), James Garnon (Worcester/Justice Silence), Alice Hayes (Messenger), Henry Jenkinson (Harcourt), Nigel Lister (Northumberland/Francis), Annette McLaughlin (Warwick), Mark Monero (Peto), Hywel Morgan (Sir Walter Blunt), Joseph Mydell (Lord Chief Justice), Clare Perkins (Mistress Quickly), Daniel Rabin (Poins), David Semark (Sir Richard Vernon), David Shelley (Sheriff), Robin Soans (Justice Shallow), Tafline Steen (Doll Tearsheet/Lady Percy) and Perry Williams (Douglas/Prince Thomas) complete the cast.
