Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running – but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

As a seasoned theatre enthusiast who has attended countless performances over the years, I find it utterly frustrating when a production like Macbeth, featuring the remarkable talents of David and Cush, gets cancelled without proper communication.


After being halted for three consecutive nights, the performance of Macbeth is set to resume on Tuesday. However, unfortunately, David Tennant and Cush Jumbo won’t be appearing in this specific show.

For the last three evenings, the performance of the play at Harold Pinter Theatre has been called off because the acting troupe is unwell.

On Tuesday, it became known that the planned performance would proceed as scheduled; however, lead actors David and Cush are still under the weather and will be temporarily replaced by stand-ins who will portray Macbeth and Lady Macbeth instead.

On social media, someone who had bought tickets for Tuesday’s performance shared that they received an email stating that David and Cush wouldn’t be appearing in the show.

Regrettably, due to illness, David Tennant and Cush Jumbo won’t be able to appear in the Macbeth performance scheduled for Tuesday, 5th November 2024.

Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

We understand that you were eagerly awaiting the show, and we deeply regret if it has caused any disappointment.

This evening’s show will proceed using standby actors portraying the characters of Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth.

Due to the fact that the current showing of Macbeth has a strict limit and all tickets have been sold out for the rest of its performance period, we regretfully cannot provide alternate dates for those patrons seeking ticket exchanges at this moment.

The theatre suggests that people who are uncertain about attending can ask for their money back if they change their minds later on.

The play “Macbeth” has been temporarily shut down at the Harold Pinter Theatre located in London’s West End, as it has fallen victim to an ongoing case of company-wide illness. The most recent announcement was made a mere two hours prior to the scheduled curtain call.

Supporters expressed their anger about the last-minute notice regarding the cancellations, with several commenting on the great distances they had journeyed just to watch the performance.

Attendees expressed their hope for a swift recovery of the cast members, wishing they had known about the postponement earlier in the day so they wouldn’t have spent money on travel and meals.

On November 1, it was announced by the Harold Pinter X account that the evening’s show performance had been cancelled instead.

Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

Over the following three days, the performances were called off too. Their social media platform expressed regret and gratitude towards those who had purchased tickets, acknowledging their patience.

Regrettably, our production of Macbeth tonight has been called off because of illness within the company.

In the coming days, you’ll hear from your ticket provider about your tickets. We apologize deeply for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding.

‘Just two hours ago, I received news that in London, UK, the entire company, including David Tennant of Macbeth, fell ill and had to cancel four consecutive performances right before they were about to take the stage.’

Others expressed their disappointment beneath an Instagram post, commenting: “I support the actors looking after themselves, but giving notice just 1.5 hours ahead is a bit inconsiderate”; “We traveled from Lyon for tonight’s performance. It would have been considerate to announce the cancellation earlier in the day…

“We double-checked everything beforehand, from train tickets to dinner, ensuring all was in order. Now that we’ve been overcharged, who is going to reimburse us! The sheer disregard for customers is astounding. The excellent staff were once again left out in the cold, having a miserable time. Who on earth made the callous decision not to cancel at the very start of the day?

The significant negative public relations impact from your last-minute cancellation is much greater than if the cancellation had happened earlier in the day.

Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

A different individual expressed their dissatisfaction, stating: “I’m quite disheartened by how this situation was managed. My companion and I were holding tickets for tonight’s event. Given that past shows were called off, we had been monitoring the news all morning in anticipation of a potential cancellation.

Since we had already booked our train tickets, arranged for a meal nearby the theater, and made our way to London, it was disappointing that the cancellation was announced at 5:45 pm – far too late. Such last-minute notice is disrespectful and inconsiderate towards ticket holders who have invested both time and money in traveling to London.

“It would have been ideal to make a decision about today’s performance earlier. I want to clarify that I’m not pointing fingers at the cast, as illness can happen unexpectedly, and I wish everyone a speedy recovery. However, I find the theatre’s handling of this situation disrespectful and rude.

Some individuals expressed their frustration about the cancellation on X, saying: “We’ve reserved non-refundable train tickets weeks in advance for our performance tomorrow – is there any chance to reimburse these expenses?

Paraphrasing the first sentence: “What reason have your ticketing staff given to raise ticket prices for the upcoming shows?

A user expressed frustration by saying, ‘Perhaps if you addressed even one of the numerous inquiries about tonight’s show from this platform and Instagram, your phone lines might not be so congested with people seeking information. I’ve been on hold for fifty minutes already.’

‘Nanny booked. Hotel booked. Restaurant booked. Play cancelled with four hours to go’; ‘Assume text received from ATG that tomorrow’s performances are cancelled is genuine. Just so I don’t leave early tomorrow to get to London can you confirm’;

Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness
Macbeth play to finally go ahead after being cancelled for THREE nights running - but stars David Tennant and Cush Jumbo will NOT be performing due to illness

Could you provide additional details, specifically about rescheduling, refunds, and when the event will return? It’s frustrating to receive a cancellation notice via text message without further information being provided afterwards. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if you updated us instead of sending cryptic messages like this one?

A representative from the theater explained that anyone with tickets for the canceled shows has already been notified, and they should expect communication about their ticket options directly from where they made their purchase. This procedure is currently being carried out.

Earlier this year, David and Cush presented a production of William Shakespeare’s play at the Donmar Warehouse located in Covent Garden, later transitioning it to Harold Pinter.

Max Webster, recognized for his work on Life of Pi and Henry V, is the one who guides the direction of this adaptation.

Previously, Cush graced the stage at the Young Vic in Hamlet some years ago. Previously renowned New York Times theater critic, Ben Brantley, described her as exuding an indescribable energy, ambition, and raw talent often referred to as ‘stardom’.

With a captivating and intense animated presentation, David and Cush left spectators breathless with their extraordinary act – the show promises more thrilling moments throughout the upcoming winter season.

Last year, when discussing his role in Macbeth with The Guardian, David mentioned: “I believed I had a good grasp of this play and considered it to be less complex than any other Shakespeare production I’ve ever worked on.

Every new scene presents an unanticipated turn for me. The storyline is quite robust and moves swiftly. In terms of plot structure, it’s more forward-moving than any Shakespearean play I’ve previously performed.

Cush remarked: ‘She’s thoroughly rooted in our society. Many believe they recognize her. Most of us read the playback during our school years. I did – I detested it. It was tedious, yet that’s because Shakespearean plays are not intended for reading; rather, they’re designed to be performed.’

As a lifestyle guide, I’d like to share some insights on a captivating figure from Shakespeare’s time – Lady Macbeth. Often, she’s perceived as a stereotype: the strong-willed, domineering woman who manipulated her husband into committing heinous acts. However, the most significant misunderstanding lies in failing to recognize Lady Macbeth as a complex human being with emotions, desires, and vulnerabilities just like any other individual.

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2024-11-05 21:04

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