Simon Russell Beale withdraws from 'Titus Andronicus' due to ill health

John Hodgkinson will now play the title role, and was most recently seen as Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor for the RSC and in Dear England.

Simon Russell Beale has withdrawn from Max Webster's production of Titus Andronicus, which was due to officially open at Hampstead Theatre in London on 16 September. The show's press night will now take place on 22 September.

According to a statement from Hampstead Theatre and the RSC, Beale has stepped back due to ill health. He will be succeeded in the role by John Hodgkinson, who was most recently seen as Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor for the RSC and in Dear England.

A statement from Hampstead Theatre and the RSC said: "Unfortunately, due to ill health, Simon Russell Beale has had to step back from the RSC / Hampstead Theatre production of Titus Andronicus to give him time to recover. The role of Titus Andronicus will now be played by John Hodgkinson with performances commencing on 15 September. Simon Russell Beale wishes John and the company all the very best for the run."

Webster added: “As a company we’re all so sorry that Simon Russell Beale has had to step back from his role in Titus Andronicus. We all want to send him our very best wishes for a speedy recovery. At the same time, I am thrilled and immensely grateful to welcome the extremely talented John Hodgkinson, who has stepped in at short notice to take on the iconic role and to join our remarkable company.”

The full company includes Jeremy Ang Jones (Demetrius), Max Bennett (Saturninus), Marlowe Chan-Reeves (Chiron), Danny Collins (Martius / Messenger), Maximus Evans (Quintus / Aemilius), Emma Fielding (Marcia Andronicus) Thomas Josling (Bassianus / Publius), Wendy Kweh (Tamora), Joel MacCormack (Lucius), Jerone Marsh-Reid (Alarbus / Leader of the Goths), Ken Nwosu (Aaron) and Sharita Oomeer (Nurse / Goth) and Letty Thomas (Lavinia). The part of young Lucius is shared between Charlie Banks and Osian Salter.

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Photo credit: Simon Russell Beale in Titus Andronicus. (Photo by Marc Brenner)