Ian McKellen Falls Off Stage During London Performance, Expected To Make ‘Full Recovery’

Actor Ian McKellen is expected to make a “speedy and full recovery” after falling off the front of a stage during a performance Monday night in London’s West End.

McKellen, 85, was performing in a battle scene in “Player Kings,” which brings together two of Shakespeare’s plays, “Henry IV” Parts 1 and 2. The BBC reported the actor lost his footing during the fight scene and fell, crying out as the house lights came on at the Noël Coward Theatre.

A journalist at Monday’s performance said he heard McKellen “screaming in pain” as ushers rushed to help him.

He was taken to a hospital, and the evening’s performance was canceled.

“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,’” a representative of the show said in a statement. “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.”

McKellen is one of Britain’s most celebrated actors, on stage and screen. He starred as Gandalf in the original “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy and in several X-Men films as Magneto. He has performed roles in many Shakespeare plays for more than six decades, including as Hamlet, Richard II and King Lear.

He plays John Falstaff in “Player Kings,” which began a 12-week run in the West End in April.