Renowned actor Sir Ian McKellen, 85, has expressed his gratitude for the support he received after falling from the stage of a West End theatre during a performance of Player Kings. The incident occurred at the Noël Coward theatre on Monday evening, while Sir Ian was involved in a fight scene. The actor cried out in pain and immediately called for assistance.

In a message shared on an undisclosed platform, Sir Ian thanked everyone for their kind messages and support. He specifically expressed immense gratitude to the NHS staff who provided him with medical treatment following the fall. The actor revealed that his injuries were diagnosed and treated by a team of experts, specialists, and nurses who assured him of a full and swift recovery.

Although Sir Ian did not provide specific details about his injuries or a timeline for his return, he eagerly mentioned his anticipation of resuming work. The play, Player Kings, was halted after the incident, and the actor was promptly taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Subsequently, the production's producers announced that the play's return would be postponed until Thursday.

Producers expressed their delight at Sir Ian's progress and conveyed their anticipation for his return to the production once he is fully recuperated. They also assured ticket holders that they would be contacted regarding the revised schedule. Player Kings, a 12-week West End run of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts One and Two, commenced in April.

During the performance, Sir Ian, who portrays John Falstaff in the play, fell from the front of the stage during a climactic battle scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy. Prompt assistance from the theatre's staff was rendered, and the venue was later evacuated for safety reasons. Both the remainder of the initial performance and the following day's show were canceled to facilitate Sir Ian's recovery.

Gratitude was also extended to doctors in the audience who rushed to aid the Olivier and Tony award-winning actor during the incident. Known for his extensive contributions to Shakespearean productions, Sir Ian has portrayed notable characters such as Richard II, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, King Lear, and Macbeth. Additionally, he has upcoming appearances as Hamlet in a new film adaptation directed by Sean Mathias.

Sir Ian McKellen's illustrious career extends beyond the realm of Shakespeare, with iconic roles as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, as well as Magneto in the X-Men movies. His filmography also includes notable works such as Beauty and the Beast, The Da Vinci Code, and Mr. Holmes.

As Sir Ian focuses on his recovery, fans and colleagues alike eagerly await his triumphant return to the stage and screen, confident in his resilience to overcome this setback and continue to captivate audiences with his exceptional talent.