Joined: May 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 8,505 Location: Essex, England
David Tennant pulls out of Hamlet « Thread Started on Dec 10, 2008, 5:49pm »
David Tennant has pulled out of the London production of Hamlet due to a back injury for which he is having surgery early next week.
A spokesman has said that he will definitely not return to the role before Christmas. With the show due to end on January 10th, he may only return for the last week or so.
Joined: Jan 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 1,053 Location: near Göttingen / Germany
Re: David Tennant pulls out of Hamlet « Reply #1 on Dec 11, 2008, 1:31pm »
The surgery he had because of a prolapsed disc was today and all went fine!
09/12/2008, 16:40pm GMT
Hamlet Press Night: Official RSC Statement It has been confirmed that David Tennant will not perform at tonight’s Press Night performance of the RSC production of Hamlet at the Novello Theatre in London due to a back injury.
The RSC has decided to go ahead with the press performance with the understudy Edward Bennett in the title role. David did not perform at last night’s preview and Bennett took on the role to a standing ovation from the audience. He normally plays the role of Laertes.
RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd said; "As an ensemble company we feel that it is important to go ahead with tonight’s performance. While understanding that some people will be disappointed at not seeing David Tennant on stage, this production, like all our productions, is more than the sum of its parts – an ensemble of actors, designers, composers etc. and we should respect that by going ahead as planned."
RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran and director of the production said "David is gutted, not only at the thought of disappointing audiences, but also to be unable to perform a role that he has worked on and developed throughout 60 performances in Stratford-upon-Avon. Before this injury, he has only ever been off for one performance in his entire career to date, and is hoping that he will be able to return to the show as quickly as possible. It is an indication of the RSC’s investment in understudies that Ed Bennett can take over from David in one of Shakespeare’s largest roles at such short notice."
10/12/2008, 13:00pm GMT
David To Undergo Surgery For Back Injury
David is to undergo surgery for a prolapsed disc tomorrow and will not be returning to Hamlet before Christmas. He has issued the following statement: "It is hugely disappointing for me to have to miss these performances. My back problem has progressed to the point where it is currently impossible for me to carry on without surgery. I want to get back on stage as quickly as possible and I am very grateful to Ed who has courageously got to grips with the role but in a much shorter time. It's a fantastic achievement."