It has been announced today that John Hurt will no longer be appearing in The Entertainer at the Garrick Theatre, following medical advice. 

The actor was due to play Billy Rice in Rob Ashford’s production, opposite Kenneth Branagh as Archie Rice, which opens for previews on the 20th August.

Talking about his withdrawal from the production, John 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.” 

The cast for the production also includes Phil Dunster as Graham, Jonah Hauer-King as Frank Rice, Crispin Letts as Brother Bill, Sophie McShera as Jean Rice and Greta Scacchi as Phoebe Rice. Casting for Billy Rice will be confirmed soon.

John Osborne’s The Entertainer is the final production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s season of work at the Garrick Theatre, which is currently showing Romeo and Juliet starring Lily James.

The creative team for The Entertainer includes: lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Christopher Shutt and set and costume design by Christopher Oram.

The Entertainer will run at the Garrick Theatre from the 20th August to the 12th November. To book tickets visit: Discount Theatre.com, Ticketmaster.co.uk, Last Minute.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.