BTN News: Not to worry, the 85-year-old film and Shakespearean stage actor best known for his turn as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies is reportedly okay after taking a big tumble off the boards during a performance of Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre in his native London. This happened while the actor was in a fight, hence generating worries in the audience as well as on set. It is a relief to hear that the nonagenarian is reportedly “recovering well” and will be back on the stage soon.
Incident During Performance
In a battle scene with rince of Wales and Henry Percy McKellen as John Falstaff, appeared to trip and fell forward off the front of the stage. The sudden drop alarmed the crowd, some at first thinking it was scripted. But McKellen’s distress call revealed frighteningly how perilous things had become. Theatre staff immediately responded, raising the lights and clearing the house so the actor could be on his way to getting some attention.
Rapid on-call, physio response and medical staff
A theatre spokesperson said McKellen had been taken to hospital and had an MRI scan. He ended up being okay, but he is definitely going to be sore for a while! The spokesperson thanked two doctors, Rachel and Lee who were in the audience and who also went to help and the theatre staff were very quick and did a great job.
Reacting to the Audience and Canceling Shows
And after the performance, audience member Paul Critchley from Downham Market, Norfolk, said it was a “shock” to see McKellen fall so close to them. The performance, of course, was no surprise by now: McKellen needed time to recuperate. The representative confirmed McKellen plans to return to his role during the Wednesday matinee.
The venerable career of Sir Ian McKellen
In a career that has spanned several decades, Sir Ian McKellen has given us some unforgettable performances on both stage and screen. That resume also includes Richard II, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, Lear, and Macbeth, His Shakespearean roles; Off the stage, he is famous for playing Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, and Magneto in the X-Men franchise. His other film work includes Beauty and the Beast, The Da Vinci Code and Mr Holmes. Other television appearances of McKellen include the pervasive antagonist Mel Hutchwright in ITV soap Coronation Street.
Previous Incidents
McKellen has been sidelined before due to an injury. He had to pull out of a performance of King Lear at London’s Duke of York Theatre five years ago after injuring his leg while attempting to catch a train. McKellen made sure the audience felt happy when he took a seat on stage and answered questions.
Looking Forward
The 12-week West End run began in April of The Player Kings production, which adapts Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts One and Two. Fans and co-workers alike are no doubt celebrating the positive news about McKellen’s health, and are sure to be excited to see him back on stage.
