Freddie Fox Joins Romeo and Juliet After Richard Madden and Understudy Injured | Playbill

News Freddie Fox Joins Romeo and Juliet After Richard Madden and Understudy Injured Injuries force producers to draft in Fox, who recently played the role in Sheffield.
Rob Ashford Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Richard Madden is to share the role of Romeo with Freddie Fox in the Kenneth Branagh/Rob Ashford co-directed production of Romeo and Juliet currently at London’s Garrick Theatre through August 13.

Fox, who previously played the role in a different, recent staging at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, joins the company July 26, following a period of intensive rehearsals with Lily James and the rest of the company over the last 48 hours.

This is to allow Madden sufficient time for his injured ankle to continue to heal and because his doctors have prescribed rest between performances. He injured his ankle whilst running and has been receiving physiotherapy since. Due to the nature of the injury, it has taken some time to heal.

Since the injury happened, the part of Romeo has been covered by Tom Hanson, who played Paris in the production, in addition to understudying Romeo. In an unfortunate set of circumstances, Hanson also injured his leg and is unable to perform, thus prompting the producers to bring Fox into the company.

In a statement, co-director Kenneth Branagh commented, “Sometimes things do not go according to plan in the theatre. Who would have predicted that both Richard and Tom would sustain such unexpected injuries during the same run of this play? Our job is to help make sure that they both make the best recovery possible, whilst working as hard as we can to provide a great show for audiences, which is why I could not be more thrilled to welcome Freddie Fox into the company. An old friend of many of the cast, Freddie is a talented and exciting actor who will no doubt bring much to the role of Romeo. As Richard’s ankle improves and he is able to play more performances we look forward to completing the run with both of these wonderful artists.”

Madden added, "It has been hugely frustrating and sad that I have not been able to perform in the show, but my ankle is getting better and I will be returning soon. I wanted to say a big thank you to Tom for covering me so brilliantly and I hope that he too recovers from his injury soon. I also wanted to say a massive thanks to Freddie for stepping in to help, I know that he is going to be fantastic."

The company also features Derek Jacobi as Mercutio and Meera Syal as The Nurse. In a statement, Fox commented, "I am really pleased to be joining Lily, Derek, Meera and the company. I look forward to continuing the exciting work that Richard and Tom have created in this wonderful production, and to bringing my own experience and passion for the role of Romeo.”

The producers and cast are continuing to take daily medical advice on Madden’s injury and therefore cannot give advance casting information. For the most up-to-date information, visit branaghtheatre.com.

 
Today’s Most Popular News:
 X

Blocking belongs
on the stage,
not on websites.

Our website is made possible by
displaying online advertisements to our visitors.

Please consider supporting us by
whitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.
Thank you!