Following the recent news that John Hurt has had to pull out of starring in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company production of the Entertainer on medical advice, its been confirmed that Gawn Grainger will play the role of Billy Rice. 

The final production in Kenneth Branagh’s season of plays at the Garrick Theatre concludes with Rob Ashford’s production of John Osborne’s modern classic, running from the 20th August until the 12th November.

Gawn Grainger joins the cast, which began rehearsals this week, performing alongside Kenneth Branagh as Archie Rice alongside 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. Further casting also includes Lauren Alexandra, Yasmin Harrison, Pip Jordan and Kate Tydman as dancers.

Grainger’s previous stage credits include performances in The Cherry Orchard (Young Vic), Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe) and The Recruiting Officer (Donmar Warehouse). He was  a company member in Laurence Olivier’s inaugural season at the National Theatre’s South Bank venue in 1976.

John Osborne’s The Entertainer is set against a backdrop of Post-war Britain and examines public masks and private torment in the seedy glamour of old music halls.

The production will be broadcast live to cinemas worldwide on the 27th October 2016.

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