Actor Sir Ian McKellen has been rushed to hospital after being left “screaming in pain” after falling from the stage while performing in London’s West End.

An audience member told the BBC the 85-year-old Lord Of The Rings actor lost his footing and fell in a “very shocking” accident.

“As far as I saw, he was conscious because he was asking for assistance,” they said.

A spokesperson for the London theatre said that Sir Ian, who is playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre, was in “good spirits” and expected to “make a speedy and full recovery”.

“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,” they told the PA news agency on Monday (local time).

“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, June 18, so Ian can rest. Those affected will be contacted by their point of purchase as soon as possible tomorrow.”

The statement also thanked doctors Rachel and Lee who were “on hand in the audience” and to the venue staff “for their support”.

After the accident, the theatre cancelled the rest of Monday’s show and evacuated the audience from the theatre.

A BBC journalist, who saw the play, said 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. Sir Ian was heard to cry out in pain as staff rushed to help.

“Just witnessed Ian Mckellan severely injure himself after falling off stage at Noel Coward Theatre. Sir Ian could be heard screaming in pain as ushers rushed to his aid. Show cancelled as he is treated by ambulance crews. Wish him all the best,” journalist Charlie Johnson posted on X.

Another audience member, Paul Critchley, told PA the fall came as a “shock”.

“Sir Ian seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene,” Critchley, a Methodist minister, said.

“He picked up momentum as he moved downstage, which resulted in him falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.

“The house lights came up very quickly as the stage management and front of house team dealt with the incident. We were evacuated immediately so that Sir Ian could be treated in privacy.

“An announcement was made by theatre management that the show had been cancelled, that Sir Ian was receiving treatment and an ambulance had been called.

“It was a shock to witness his fall and I wish him a speedy recovery. My thoughts are also with his fellow cast members, stage crew and front of house team at the Noel Coward Theatre.”

London Ambulance Service has declined to comment.

Sir Ian’s career has spanned more than six decades, during which the actor has performed at theatres across Britain.

On screen he is most known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s fantasy LOTR trilogy, based on the books from JRR Tolkien.

On the stage he has played a host of Shakespearean characters including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and King Lear.

His many acting credits have led to accolades over the years, including several Olivier Awards.

-with AAP