SIR Ian McKellen reportedly screamed "Help me, my arms" after his horror fall from a West End stage - but will make a "full recovery". The acting legend lost his footing and fell off the stage while starring in Player Kings at the Noel Coward theatre last night. Sir Ian, who plays John Falstaff, reportedly lost his footing during a fight scene and fell.
A spokesperson for the theatre said Sir Ian is "in good spirits" and expected to make "a speedy and full recovery". The West End show was cancelled and the audience was evacuated from the premises. It is understood the veteran stage and screen actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell off the front of the stage.
The set was reportedly littered with broken-up bricks and daggers for the battlefield scene. Audience member Kol Baker told the Mail Sir Ian "tripped over" some props and fell off the stage "in almost a belly flop fashion". Kol, 23, added: "Instantly he screamed and honestly the noises were bone-chilling.
"The lights were on so quickly the curtains drawn and within seconds they asked to evacuate the whole auditorium." The Lord Of The Rings star was heard crying out in pain as staff rushed to help. Theatregoers in the front two rows also rushed to help the legendary actor.
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, is adapted and directed by Robert Icke. It is due to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham , Norwich and Newcastle .
