Ian McKellen in hospital after falling off stage during Player Kings show

Ian McKellen has been taken to hospital after falling off stage during a performance of Player Kings in London on Monday.

The audience was evacuated from the Noël Coward theatre in the West End and informed that the evening show was cancelled.

McKellen, 85, who plays John Falstaff, was in a battle scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell off the front of the stage.

As the house lights came up, the actor cried out in pain and staff rushed to help, the BBC reported.

Player Kings is a production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts I and II, and started its 12-week West End run in April.

Paul Nero, a writer and broadcaster, wrote on X: “Audience shocked by Sir Ian McKellen’s fall off stage tonight at Noel Coward Theatre. Staff working hard to help him. Thoughts with him, cast and crew.”