Ian McKellen Hospitalized After West End Fall

According to the BBC, Ian McKellen was taken to the hospital after he fell off the stage while performing in the play "Player Kings" at the Noël Coward Theatre, which is located on the West End in London.

It was stated that McKellen was in the middle of a battle scene when he somehow lost his footing and fell. Both the crowd and the show that was scheduled to take place in the evening were removed from the theater as Variety reported.

A statement was released by a spokesperson of the theater stating that McKellen will "make a speedy and full recovery" and that the actor, who is 85 years old, is "in good spirits."

From the Actor

“Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during this evening’s performance of ‘Player Kings,'” reads the statement.

“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. The production has made the decision to cancel the performance on Tuesday 18 June so Ian can rest.

"Those affected will be contacted by their point of purchase as soon as possible tomorrow. Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.”

Other Unfortunate Stage Happenings

The British actor was not the only elderly individual whose on-stage activity has made headlines. President Joe Biden garnered more than a little attention for freezing on stage in what appeared to be an episode of mental deficiency.

According to Yahoo News, a video originally posted by the RNC Research account shows former president Barack Obama having to reach out and guide a frozen Biden off the stage.

A nother video taken at the conclusion of the fundraising event shows Biden watching the applause from the audience before he and President Obama went off stage together.

This was lauded by many as proof that the president is getting around just fine, and there was no reason for concern. It appears that being able to walk unassisted some of the time is proof enough that the president is in good mental health.

Andrew Bates, who is the senior deputy press secretary for the White House, was critical of the video and said in a statement to The Daily Beast that the video as a "cheap fake."

Another Fall

Another White House kerfuffle surrounded a journalist that passed out while covering the happenings in Washington.

Somebody has passed out in the White House briefing room

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 18, 2024