Sir Ian McKellen Breaks Silence After Suffering A Nasty Fall That Left Him Screaming For Help
By Favour Adegoke on June 18, 2024 at 4:30 PM EDT
Updated on June 18, 2024 at 4:31 PM EDT
Sir Ian McKellen, who suffered an accident during a performance of the play "Player Kings" at the Noel Coward Theatre in London, has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received since the incident.
McKellen reportedly tripped and fell "head first" into the crowd as he performed a war scene of the play. The degree of injuries he suffered remains unknown; however, he shared a positive prognosis for his recovery.
Since his fall, reports have revealed that the actor Sir Ian McKellen is in "high spirits" and on the road to a full recovery.
Sir Ian McKellen Shares First Update Since Accident
The "Lord of the Rings" actor took to his X account to share a rare update since suffering a health scare at his "Player Kings" performance last night. McKellen, who stars as John Falstaff in the play, was acting out a battle scene that involved the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he tripped and fell off the stage.
In his post, he explained that thanks to the expert care of the National Health Service (NHS), he's on track to make a speedy and complete recovery and is already looking forward to returning to the stage.
"I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support," McKellen wrote. "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."
He added, "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."
Fans Are Happy To Hear From The Hollywood Legend
Several fans commented on his post to sympathize with him and wish him a quick recovery.
A fan wrote, "Wishing you a restful - if brief - time recovering and that you're back doing what you love as soon as possible!"
"Excellent news! Well done to all those medical professionals. I hope you're soon fully fit and back at work. Rest up and take care. I'm glad the universe did as it was told," another penned.
"Wishing you a speedy & full recovery," a third person stated, adding that they "had the incredible pleasure of seeing you in this play a couple of weeks, you were magnificent."
"Excellent news! Well done to all those medical professionals. I hope you're soon fully fit and back at work. Rest up and take care. I'm glad the universe did as it was told," another individual commented.
The Actor Tripped And Fell 'Head First' Into The Audience
The 85-year-old actor's update comes after some show attendees recounted moments leading up to the fall.
According to the Daily Mail, Charlie Johnson, a journalist for the Kingston Courier who attended the play, shared that McKellen tripped and fell "head first" into the audience during a West End performance last night.
"As we approached the interval of the play, there was a fight scene going on," Johnson explained. "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."
He continued, "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,'" the journalist added.
Sir Ian McKellen Cried Out In Pain After His Fall
The "X-Men" actor sparked a wave of concern from attendees who feared he might have suffered a great degree of injury as he yelled loudly after the fall.
According to the news outlet, another eyewitness, Kol Baker, shared that McKellen 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," Baker continued, adding that the "Mr. Holmes" actor yelled "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," he added.
Sir Ian McKellen Will Make A 'Full Recovery,' But His Performances Have Been Canceled
The show producer revealed that McKellen "will make a speedy and full recovery" and is in "good spirits," further announcing that his performance has been canceled so he can rest.
"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 spokesperson for Player Kings told the Daily Mail.
"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," they continued.
In their statement, the spokesperson for Player Kings further noted that they canceled the Tuesday show due to McKellen's unfortunate accident.
They said, "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."
