This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7762012.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Human skull abandoned by Hamlet Human skull abandoned by Hamlet
(20 minutes later)
A human skull will no longer appear in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet as it may distract the audience, the company has said.A human skull will no longer appear in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet as it may distract the audience, the company has said.
The skull of concert pianist and Holocaust survivor Andrew Tchaikowsky has appeared in the Stratford production, starring David Tennant.The skull of concert pianist and Holocaust survivor Andrew Tchaikowsky has appeared in the Stratford production, starring David Tennant.
It was his dying wish to have his skull used in Hamlet and he bequeathed it to the RSC.It was his dying wish to have his skull used in Hamlet and he bequeathed it to the RSC.
But the company says a fake skull will be used when it transfers to London.But the company says a fake skull will be used when it transfers to London.
Tennant was the first actor to use Mr Tchaikowsky's skull during Hamlet's famous grave-digger scene.Tennant was the first actor to use Mr Tchaikowsky's skull during Hamlet's famous grave-digger scene.
Audiences in Stratford were unaware the skull belonged to the pianist, but the secret was revealed by Tennant. Audiences in Stratford were unaware the skull belonged to the Oxford pianist, but the secret was revealed by Tennant.
The RSC told Channel 4 News that now the secret was out, it would be "too distracting for the audience" if the skull was used.The RSC told Channel 4 News that now the secret was out, it would be "too distracting for the audience" if the skull was used.
Mr Tchaikowsky was devoted to Shakespeare, often visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon to see performances of his plays.Mr Tchaikowsky was devoted to Shakespeare, often visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon to see performances of his plays.
He died of cancer at the age of 46 in 1982 and donated his organs to medical research, with the exception of his skull.He died of cancer at the age of 46 in 1982 and donated his organs to medical research, with the exception of his skull.