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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Tennant out of Hamlet for surgery | Tennant out of Hamlet for surgery |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Actor David Tennant will not be returning to play Hamlet "before Christmas" because of a back injury, the Royal Shakespeare Company says. | Actor David Tennant will not be returning to play Hamlet "before Christmas" because of a back injury, the Royal Shakespeare Company says. |
| The 37-year-old, who is scheduled to have an operation for a slipped disc on Thursday, said his enforced absence was "hugely disappointing". | |
| His understudy Edward Bennett, who received standing ovations on Monday and Tuesday, will continue to stand in. | |
| Tennant's run as Hamlet at the Novello Theatre is due to finish on 10 January. | Tennant's run as Hamlet at the Novello Theatre is due to finish on 10 January. |
| He played Hamlet 60 times in Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer ahead of the production's London transfer. | |
| 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 David Tennant | 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 David Tennant |
| "My back problem has progressed to the point where it is currently impossible for me to carry on without surgery," Tennant said in a statement. | |
| "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." | "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." |
| Artistic Director Michael Boyd said: "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." | Artistic Director Michael Boyd said: "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." |
| The RSC said refunds would not be issued "because the company has a fully rehearsed understudy policy". | The RSC said refunds would not be issued "because the company has a fully rehearsed understudy policy". |
| "The company is able to offer exchanges, subject to availability, for other RSC London performances during this season at the Novello Theatre," it added in a statement. | "The company is able to offer exchanges, subject to availability, for other RSC London performances during this season at the Novello Theatre," it added in a statement. |
| 'Traditional reading' | 'Traditional reading' |
| Bennett, who normally plays the role of Laertes, received mixed reviews after Tuesday's press night performance. | |
| Edward Bennet had been originally been cast as Laertes | |
| The Guardian's Michael Billington said the actor's Hamlet was a "more robustly traditional reading of the part which marks Bennett down as an actor to watch". | The Guardian's Michael Billington said the actor's Hamlet was a "more robustly traditional reading of the part which marks Bennett down as an actor to watch". |
| But Charles Spencer from the Telegraph said: "For sheer nerve and self-confidence, Bennett undoubtedly deserved the cheers. It has to be said, however, that he is not a natural Hamlet." | But Charles Spencer from the Telegraph said: "For sheer nerve and self-confidence, Bennett undoubtedly deserved the cheers. It has to be said, however, that he is not a natural Hamlet." |
| Tickets for the London shows sold out within three hours when they went on sale in September. | Tickets for the London shows sold out within three hours when they went on sale in September. |