Sir Ian McKellen lost his balance and went ‘head first’ into an audience before letting out a ‘blood-curdling scream’ during a West End performance last night.
At the London Noël Coward theatre, the 85-year-old actor fell from the front of the stage right before Player Kings’ intermission. He was rushed to the hospital.
Around eight o’clock at night, the audience was cleared out of the theatre while paramedics were dispatched, and patrons were informed that the evening performance had been cancelled.
Show bosses said that Sir Ian ‘will make a speedy and full recovery’ and is in ‘good spirits’ – but tonight’s performance has also been cancelled so he can rest.
While circling a fight scene featuring Henry Percy and the Prince of Wales, Sir Ian, who plays John Falstaff in the play, stumbled and fell off the stage.
As the house lights came up, the actor known for Lord Of The Rings and X-Men cried out in pain as ushers and two medics in the audience rushed to help him.
Charlie Johnson, a journalist for the Kingston Courier who was in the audience, told ITV: ‘As we approached the interval of the play, there was a fight scene going on.
‘There were strobe lights and then it all went dark, at which point you could see the silhouette of Sir Ian come out from the wings. And the way the stage works at the Noel Coward is there’s sort of a step down just as the stage meets the audience.
‘I think what happened was he put his foot too far, sort of went off that initial step, at which point he lost his balance and pretty much just went head first into the audience.
‘And within seconds a blood-curdling scream arose from the actor. He was clearly in a lot of pain, he was screaming ‘Help me’.
Kol Baker, who was watching the show from the second tier, told MailOnline that Sir Ian had been ‘berating the villain and moving around’ during the scene when he ‘tripped over’ some props and fell off the stage ‘in almost a belly flop fashion’.
‘Instantly he screamed and honestly the noises were bone-chilling,’ the 23-year-old added – as he recalled Sir Ian yelling ‘help me, help me’ followed by ‘my arms, my arms’ and ‘help me, help me’ again.
‘The lights were on so quickly the curtains drawn and within seconds they asked to evacuate the whole auditorium. Whilst leaving the theatre within 10 minutes he was in the back of an ambulance speeding down Trafalgar Square.’
Describing what caused the actor to fall, he explained: ‘The scene in question was a warzone so there was broken up bricks and daggers from the battle and the set which was all torn up for that scene.’
He said there was ‘so much concern and shock for Sir Ian’, adding: ‘Everyone I think is just such huge fans of his work and with his age just really empathetic and almost terrified that it could be life-threatening because of his age.’
Mr Baker said that Sir Ian had been ‘performing amazingly with great vigour’ before he fell.
When asked how the audience reacted, the theatregoer added: ‘Instantly people were standing up, the first two rows completely went to rush to go help Sir Ian and everyone was explaining ‘oh my god’ and ‘that poor man’.
‘It was very sincere and so much concern for his well-being,’ he added. ‘He had made everyone laugh so much this evening.’
A spokesperson for Player Kings told MailOnline: ‘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 production has made the decision to cancel the performance on Tuesday 18 June so Ian can rest. Those affected will be contacted by their point of purchase as soon as possible tomorrow.
‘Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.’
Photographs taken outside the venue showed at least three London ambulances.
I hope that Sir Ian McKellen has a speedy recovery. He is one of the best actors of all time, and he’s an incredible performer. To still be getting up on stage at his age and delivering hours of razor-sharp dialogue night after night is amazing.
That would be a horrifying event for anyone, but considering the potential outcomes at 85 years old, it is not something to consider. What a strong man he is, and I’m delighted he’s on the path to recovery and in good spirits. He should now take his time getting better, making sure to take as much time as necessary. People will gladly wait for his next performance, I’m sure.
Some people might say that he should retire. The man had an accident, it could have happened to anyone. Why should he give up something that he’s very passionate about and very good at? Sir Ian McKellen is iconic and a legend!
Ageism in this country is thriving, and the elderly are told to retire, but then accused of scrounging and that they’re a burden on society, but we should have more respect for these people.
His showmanship is probably what keeps him going, as he’s done this all his life.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 