Sir Ian McKellen ‘taken to hospital after falling off stage’ during West End performance

Sir Ian McKellen has been taken to hospital after he fell from the stage during a West End performance on Monday (June 17).

The Lord Of The Rings actor, 85, who is currently playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre, in London, was in a fight scene when he reportedly lost his footing and fell from the stage, the BBC has reported.

Those inside were informed that the remainder of the evening performance had been cancelled and they were evacuated from the premises.

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Audience members took to social media to say they were 'shocked' and left 'in tears' as they posted well-wishes for the actor. Pictures were shared to X of huge crowds outside the venue after the show was postponed.

A BBC journalist, who saw the play, said the veteran stage and screen actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he then fell off the front of the stage.

The actor was heard to 'cry out in pain' as staff rushed to help. Audience members said they were 'shocked' and left 'in tears' by the incident on social media.

Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, parts one and two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is due to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.

After the incident, members of the audience who were evacuated from the theatre took to social media to issue well wishes to McKellen.

User @paulnero1 wrote: "Audience shocked by Sir Ian McKellen’s fall off stage tonight at Noel Coward Theatre. Staff working hard to help him. Thoughts with him, cast and crew."

@iamnotshouting posted: "Just witnessed an awful accident with Sir Ian