David Tennant , who missed the December 9th opening night of the transfer of the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon production of Hamlet to the West End's Novello Theatre will not be returning to role before Christmas the Royal Shakespeare Company revealed in a statement.
In a Royal Shakespeare Company press statement, the RSC said that Tennant is suffering from a prolapsed disc and will undergo surgery on December. 11th.
Understudy Edward Bennett, who usually plays Laertes, will continue to perform the title role, with Tom Davey taking on the role of Laertes, Ricky Champ as Guildenstern and Robert Curtis as Lucianus.
In the official statement, Tennant expressed his regret, "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 onstage 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."
RSC artistic director Michael Boyd spoke fondly of the ailing actor explaining, "We all wish David a speedy recovery and it is an indication of the RSC's investment in understudies that Ed Bennett can take over Shakespeare's largest role at such short notice. As an ensemble company, we feel it is important to go ahead with the run at the Novello Theatre and I am proud of the way Ed, the understudies, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie and the rest of the company have risen to this challenge, getting a great reaction from audiences and critics alike."
Boyd had previously commented on the decision to go ahead with the press performance as scheduleded, "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."
Edward Bennett has also been seen in Othello at the Donmar Warehouse, Little Neil and Pygmalion at Theatre Royal Bath, and Nan and Skin Game at Richmond Orange Tree, among others. His screen credits include "Friends Just United," "After Your Gone" and "Silent Witness."
David Tennant last appeared with the RSC as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors in 2000. As well as acting extensively on the stage, most recently in The Pillowman at The National Theatre, David has become a household name as the tenth actor to portray Dr Who.His other TV and film role include Casanova, Blackpool, Bright Young Things and Barty Crouch Jr in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.This season he also appears as Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost. Patrick Stewart returns to the RSC to play Claudius. He last appeared with the Company to great acclaim during the Complete Works Festival as Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and Prospero in The Tempest.
Hamlet played in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 24 July - 15 November 2008. Hamlet now plays at the Novello Theatre in London from 3 December 2008 - 10 January 2009 after transferring from Stratford-upon-Avon
For more information please visit, www.rsc.org.uk
