John Hurt announces that he will no longer appear in The Entertainer due to illness.
On the advice of his doctors, John Hurt will no longer perform in The Entertainer, the last play in Kenneth Branagh’s Garrick Season. Hurt was due to play Billy Rice alongside Kenneth Branagh in Rob Ashford’s production, opening on 20 August.
Commenting on his withdrawal, Hurt said: “I have recently been in hospital with an intestinal complaint and although I am much improved and on the road to a full recovery, my doctors have advised that it is too soon for me to undertake a lengthy and arduous stage role. It is therefore with great sadness and disappointment that I must withdraw from The Entertainer.
I would like to send Ken, Rob and the entire company my love and very best wishes for a happy and successful production of a wonderful play.”
Casting for the role of Billy Rice is expected to be announced in due course.