Following the previously announced withdrawal of John Hurt from The Entertainer, the final production in the Branagh Theatre season at the West End's Garrick Theatre, in which he was to have played Billy Rice, father to Kenneth Branagh's Archie Rice, it has now been announced that he is being replaced by Gawn Grainger.

The production begins performances August 20, prior to an official opening August 30, for a season through November 12.

Hurt withdrew from the production on the advice of his doctors. Grainger's extensive career has recently included appearances at the Young Vic in The Cherry Orchard, Macbeth at Shakespeare's Globe and The Recruiting Officer at the Donmar Warehouse. He has appeared regularly at the National Theatre, where he was a company member in Laurence Olivier’s inaugural season at the National Theatre’s South Bank venue in 1976.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 482 9673 or visit branaghtheatre.com.