Statement released after Sir Ian McKellen was seriously injured in the stage fall

Sir Ian McKellen is in “good spirits” and is expected to make a “speedy and full recovery” after falling off the stage during a West End performance, a theater spokesman has confirmed. The 85-year-old Lord Of The Rings actor, who is currently playing John Falstaff in a Player Kings production at the Noel Coward Theatre, was in a fight scene when he lost his footing and fell from the stage during Monday night’s show.

“Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during tonight’s performance of Player Kings,” a spokesman for the London theater said in a statement to the PA news agency. “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.

“Production has taken the decision to cancel the show on Tuesday 18th June so that Ian can rest. Those affected will be contacted tomorrow at their point of purchase as soon as possible.”

The statement also thanked doctors Rachel and Lee who were “on hand in public” and venue staff “for their support”. Sir Ian is expected to appear next in the matinee performance of the production on Wednesday.

After the accident, audience members were told that the remainder of the evening’s performance was canceled and were evacuated from the venue. 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 fell off the stage.

The actor was heard crying out in pain as staff rushed to help. Audience member Paul Critchley told the PA it was a “shock” to witness the fall.

Mr Critchley, a Methodist minister from Downham Market, Norfolk, said: “Sir Ian appeared to stumble as he moved around the stage to take a more active role on stage. “He gained momentum as he came down the stage, which caused him to fall off the stage right into the audience.

“The house lights came on very quickly as the stage management and front of house crew dealt with the incident. We were immediately evacuated so that Sir Ian could be treated in privacy. “Theatre management announced that the performance had been cancelled, that Sir Ian had received treatment and an ambulance had been called.

“It was a shock to witness his fall and I wish him a speedy recovery. My thoughts also go out to his cast mates, stage crew and front of house team at the Noel Coward Theatre.” The London Ambulance Service declined to comment.

Player Kings, a production of Henry IV Parts One and Two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is to move to Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. Sir Ian’s career spanned more than six decades and saw the actor perform in theaters across the country.

On screen, he is best known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s fantasy trilogy based on JRR Tolkien’s books. He played a number of Shakespearean characters on stage, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus and King Lear.

His numerous acting credits have led to a number of awards over the years, including several Olivier Awards.