![Ian McKellen hospitalised after falling off stage during performance of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre [Updated]](https://www.westendtheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Player-Kings-Ian-McKellen-as-Falstaff.-Photo-by-Manuel-Harlan.jpg "Ian McKellen hospitalised after falling off stage during performance of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre [Updated]")
See further updates to this story, below.
Sir Ian McKellen has fallen off the stage of the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End during a performance of Player Kings last night, 17 June 2024.
The actor, 85, who is currently starring as Sir John Falstaff in the production, lost his footing on some stage debris following a fight scene in the play, and fell off the stage and into the orchestra pit.
Witnesses in the auditorium told the BBC that he was conscious after falling, and crying out for help. The house lights of the theatre went up as soon as he fell, and McKellen cried out in pain as front-of-house theatre staff went to assist him.
The audience were then evacuated from the theatre, and yesterday night’s performance of the show was cancelled at the Noel Coward Theatre. Ticket holders will be contacted by their ticket providers.
McKellen was then taken by paramedics to hospital. He is expected to make a full and speedy recovery.
A spokesperson for the producers of the show said that he is in good spirits:
“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 canceled the scheduled Tuesday performance for McKellen to rest, and noted those affected would be contacted as soon as possible. Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.”
Ian McKellen is expected to be back on stage on Thursday 20 June. He was previously expected back on Wednesday, although this has since been revised.
Ian McKellen issued a statement on Tuesday via his publicist, saying:
“I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support. Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of course, I am hugely indebted. They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work.”
Player Kings in the West End is in its final week, with the London run of the show playing to this Saturday, 22 June 2024.
Following London, the show is scheduled to tour, playing the Bristol Hippodrome from 3 to 6 July 2024, the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre from 10 to 13 July 2024, the Norwich Theatre Royal from 17 to 20 July 2024, and the Newcastle Theatre Royal from 24 to 27 July 2024.
Icke has adapted and directed this new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, which also stars Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso, Romeo and Juliet) as Hal, and Richard Coyle (Ink, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) as King Henry IV.
The Player Kings cast also includes Raphael Akuwudike (Prince John/Second Drawer), Sara Beharrell (Hotspur’s Servant/Snare/Davy), Samuel Edward-Cook (Hotspur/Pistol), Geoffrey Freshwater (Bardolph), James Garnon (Worcester/Silence), Alice Hayes (Messenger/Carrier), 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 (Vernon), David Shelley (Sheriff/Surrey), Robin Soans (Shallow), Tafline Steen (Tearsheet/Lady Percy) and Perry Williams (Page/Douglas/Thomas).
The creative team for the production also includes Set and Costume Designer Hildegard Bechtler; Lighting Designer Lee Curran; Sound Designer Gareth Fry; Casting Director Julia Horan CDG; Fight Director Kev McCurdy; Associate Costume Designer Johanna Coe; Hair and Make-up Designer Susanna Peretz; and Associate Directors Jack Bradfield and Lizzie Manwaring.
We wish Ian McKellen a speedy recovery.
More about Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London
UPDATES: 20 June 2024:
The producers have released a further statement about Ian McKellen, saying:
David Semark will be playing the role of Sir John Falstaff for the final three scheduled performances of Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre in London while lan McKellen recuperates following his fall on Monday 17 June. We look forward to lan returning to the production, which begins a national tour in Bristol on Wednesday 3 July, before visiting Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.
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