Gawn Grainger replaces John Hurt in The Entertainer

Gawn Grainger will play Billy Rice in The Entertainer, replacing John Hurt who recently withdrew from the production following advice from his doctors.

Grainger began his career as the Boy Prince in Ivor Novello's King's Rhapsody at the Prince's Theatre when he was twelve years old. 

His recent stage credits include The Cherry Orchard (Young Vic), Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe) and The Recruiting Officer (Donmar Warehouse). 

Running as part of Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's Plays at the Garrick season, The Entertainer opens at the Garrick Theatre on 30th August (previews from 20th August) and plays until 12th November 2016. 

John Hurt withdraws from The Entertainer

John Hurt has withdrawn from starring in John Osborne’s The Entertainer for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company following advice from his doctors.

Hurt was due to play Billy Rice in Rob Ashford’s production, which begins preview performances at the Garrick Theatre on 20th August. 

In an official statement, Hurt says: “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.

First look at Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer; details confirmed for cinema broadcast

The first publicity image of Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer has been released. Check out the image below (click picture to enlarge). 

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, in partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment, have also confirmed that the date of the final Branagh Theatre Live cinema broadcast of this season will be The Entertainer at 19:00 on Thursday 27th October 2016. Find your nearest participating theatre here.

The Entertainer opens at the Garrick Theatre on 30th August (previews from 20th August) and runs until 20th November. 

John Hurt joins Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer; further casting announced

Further casting has been announced for The Entertainer, the final production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick season. 

John Hurt will return to the London stage for the first time in a decade as legendary patriarch Billy Rice opposite Kenneth Branagh, who as previously announced, will play the unforgettable Archie Rice in Rob Ashford’s production.

Also joining the company will be Jonah Hauer-King as Frank Rice, Sophie McShera as Jean Rice and Greta Scacchi as Phoebe Rice. The Entertainer opens at the Garrick Theatre on 30th August (previews from 20th August) and runs until 12th November 2016. 

Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company to broadcast The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet & The Entertainer

The first promotional image of Judi Dench in The Winter's Tale has been released (see right, click image to enlarge). 

Dench plays Paulina in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's production which opens at the Garrick Theatre on 7th November 2015 (previews from 16th October) and runs until 16th January 2016.

It has also been announced that the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, in partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment, will broadcast three productions of its year-long Plays at the Garrick season live to cinemas worldwide. 

The first Branagh Theatre Live production will be The Winter’s Tale at 7pm on 26th November 2015. Tickets are now on sale. Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer will also be broadcast, with details to be announced.

Kenneth Branagh said: "In 2015, where theatre making and film making meet is exciting. The cinema broadcasts of our plays hope tochallenge the possibilities of this relationship. We have a team of people who are experienced in both worlds. The potential results, particularly in exploring the magic of Shakespeare, should be fascinating.