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Tennant hopes to defy injury for Hamlet
Louise Jury and Rashid Razaq09.12.08
FEARS were today growing that the show will not go on for David Tennant — as the Doctor Who star had last minute tests on a back injury.
It had been hoped he would press ahead with the official London opening of the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet tonight, despite missing the performance yesterday.
If Tennant's back proves too painful, he will be unable to play the Dane — but sources said he was desperately keen not to let audiences down.
The actor struggled through the show on Friday and Saturday. But he was forced to pull out last night to recover.
It was the first time he had not gone on during the entire run of the play in Stratford-upon-Avon and previews of the production at the Novello
Theatre in the West End.
Edward Bennett, who has been playing Laertes, stepped into the breach last night — with a knock-on effect for other actors in the company.
Tom Davey took over as Laertes, Ricky Champ took on the part of Guildenstern and Robert Curtis played Lucianus.Bennet will get a second night as the Dane if Tennant can not appear.
He was previously seen co-starring with Ewan McGregor and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the Donmar's production of Othello and has also appeared alongside Tennant in Love's Labour's Lost in Stratford.
The RSC's Hamlet had already been struck by problems with forged tickets. Entire new stock had to be issued after a couple of fakes emerged a few days before previews began.
However, so far only three or four more forgeries have turned up. In each case, the victims had bought the tickets in good faith. They all opted to take up the option of buying available returns rather than miss the production.
The West End has seen a series of big-name actors being replaced by their understudies because of illness during the past year. Tennant's fellow Doctor Who star Billie Piper's repeated absences from previews of Treats at the Garrick Theatre led to the opening night being delayed by a week.
Antonina Lewis had to take the leading role in the play, to well-received reviews, after Piper collapsed and had to be taken to hospital.
Reality show winner Connie Fisher was ordered to take a two-week break from playing Maria in The Sound Of Music to rest her strained vocal cords, which meant Sophie Bould had to step into her shoes.
Veteran actor Richard Griffiths was temporarily replaced by Colin Haigh in Equus opposite Daniel Radcliffe when he succumbed to flu.
However, former EastEnders actress Martine McCutcheon had one of the most inauspicious West End debuts when she racked up fewer performances than her understudy during the entire run of My Fair Lady.
Reader views (6)
I would just like to wish David the very best and a speedy recovery, I had a prolapsed disc in my neck and suffered for years ... the pain is the worst pain I have ever experienced, surgery took the pain away immediately but recovery needs to be slow and careful, so don't rush back David.
Look forward to more Hamlet'.
Take Care.
- Joe Weiss, Essex
I do feel for David Tennant and he could never predict this sort of thing, or want it of course, but let's be realistic, whatever the theatre people go on about the play being bigger than one actor etc, the reality is that people have bought tickets to see David Tennant in the role, not an unknown. I have tickets to see Jude Law in Hamlet next summer and if he does not appear, I shall be bitterly disappointed and would want my money back because the theatre has sold the tickets on the strength of him playing the lead role. I think they should cancel the show and refund the money.
- Jane Burton, Kent
I saw David Tennant in Hamlet on Friday and thought it was the best play I'd ever seen! We didn't notice he was having any problems with his back - he's a consumate professional. I wish him a very speedy recovery and hope it goes well for him tonight.
- Cath Schroder, London
Davids I wish you a speedy recovery. Hamlet with all the enthusiasm and energy you put into it cannot be played with a bad back. Best wishes
- Jillian Wolfenden, lancashire
They should have delayed the press night. As they have not, you can bet Tennant isn't coming back at all. The RSC has taken a lot of money in advance tickets for this run, but only because of Tennant's appearance. They should be willing to offer refunds for all future performances that David does not appear in.
- Sarah, Nottingham, England
I wish David a speedy recovery, but take all the time it needs, a bad back will not be rushed.
- Karen Williams, Hampshire
