Ian McKellen eager to return to work after fall off stage

Sir Ian McKellen has said he is “looking forward to getting back to work” and expecting to make a “full” recovery after falling from a West End theatre stage.

The 85-year-old actor screamed in pain and pleaded for help during a performance of The Players' Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre on Monday evening.

Sir Ian was acting out a fight scene when he felt he lost his balance.

In a message posted on Christmas Day he thanked people for “their kind messages and support”, and said he was “very grateful” to the NHS staff who treated him.

Sir Ian said: “My injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a number of specialists, experts and nurses…

“They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I look forward to returning to work.”

He did not provide further details about his injuries or say when he would return to work.

Sir Ian was taken to hospital following the incident and the play was halted.

On Tuesday evening, before the actor posted his update, the makers said the show's return would be postponed till Thursday.

He added: “We're delighted that Ian is recovering well, and we look forward to having him up and running and returning to production as soon as possible.”

Those who have tickets will be contacted, he said.

The Player King's is a production of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts One and Two, and its 12-week West End run began in April.

The play's London performances finish on Saturday, after which it will go on tour to Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.

Sir Ian – who plays John Falstaff in the play – was seen falling off the front of the stage as he made his way round to the battle scene between the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy.

Staff rushed to help before the theatre was evacuated.

A spokesperson said at the time that the remaining performances were cancelled, as well as Tuesday's performance, “so that Ian could rest.”

The producers also thanked the doctors in the audience who helped the Olivier and Tony Award-winning actor.

Sir Ian's previous Shakespeare roles include Richard II, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, King Lear and Macbeth. He is also set to play Hamlet in a new film adaptation directed by Sean Mathias.

His on-screen accomplishments include playing Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, Magneto in the X-Men films, and roles in Beauty and the Beast, The Da Vinci Code, and Mr. Holmes.