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Understudy on stage as back pain halts Tennant
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent10 Dec 2008
HE WAS not the star that everyone had come to see. But after three-and-a-half hours, Edward Bennett, the understudy thrust into the limelight because of David Tennant's bad back, was greeted with a standing ovation worthy of Doctor Who himself.
The 29-year-old actor had achieved what many dream of - playing Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company to a packed house in the West End.
The sudden rise to fame came four years after Bennett left Rada. He has enjoyed good reviews for classical performances for director Peter Hall and alongside Ewan McGregor and Chiwetel Ejiofor at the Donmar, becoming a runner-up for the prestigious Ian Charleson award for young actors.
Until last night, his biggest headline-grabbing moment was when he passionately kissed a fellow drama student in front of Baroness Thatcher and Dame Shirley Bassey as part of improvised performances at a party for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
With Hamlet, he had not even had a chance to practise since the RSC moved to London this month after a run in Stratford. As understudy rehearsals were due to start this week, Bennett did not even know where his entrances and exits were when he got his first stab at the role on Monday night. "It was seat- of-the-pants stuff," he said.
Last night's critics saw only his second appearance in what director Gregory Doran described as "the largest role Shakespeare ever wrote".
Tennant was missed. "Everyone wants him to be here. The show was built around his Hamlet and we want him back as soon as possible because it's really scary," Bennett said. "Any actor wants to do Hamlet but not when it means that someone else is sick."
He normally plays Laertes and was praised for a transformation from "goofy Hooray Henry to fearsome assassin" with "aplomb". He first worked with Tennant in Romeo and Juliet for the RSC 14 years ago. Bennett, still at school, was an extra.
It is not clear when Tennant will be able to return. He saw one specialist for the pre-existing back injury yesterday and has been referred to another one today. The show is sold out until 10 January bar day seats.
Reader views (1)
I've seen Edward's Laertes three times, and he's extraordinary. Though I'm a DT fan at heart, I've come to love all the cast dearly. Edward deserves the praise completely, and though I wish David heals and returns to his rightful place at the center of this great cast, I can't help but wonder what seeing Ed's Hamlet would be like. I've no doubt he'll get the role himself one day! He's done the cast proud.
- Nicola Fennell, Mansfield, UK, 10/12/2008 10:55
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