Rothney subbed in James plays
James II actor will not return this week
Andrew Rothney, the actor playing James II who sustained an on-stage football-related injury on Saturday, has been sidelined for the remaining Edinburgh performances of the James Plays.
James II was taking part in a game of medieval football when Rothney slipped and hurt his leg on Saturday 6 February. As reported here on Æ, he continued to the end of the play before being taken to hospital.
Daniel Cahill (Earl of Douglas) and Andrew Rothney (James II). Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
In a statement, the National Theatre of Scotland said that Daniel Cahill will now take on the role of James II for all performances of James II this week at the Festival Theatre.
The NTS said: “The Company wishes Andrew a speedy recovery and looks forward to welcoming him back on stage in the near future.”
In the 20-strong ensemble cast of the James Plays, it is not a simple matter of making a straight substitution of one performer for another.
Daniel Cahill, who is Rothney’s official understudy for the role of James II, normally takes the part of the Earl of Douglas in the play. His part will now be played by ensemble member Brian James O’Sullivan.
Rothney’s role in James I is Walter Stewart, who will now be played by Andrew Fraser. And in James III, David Mara will perform the role of one of James III’s many lovers, the architect Lord Cochrane, which he played on the book on Saturday night.
The company has a week off after Edinburgh before opening in Adelaide Australia on February 26. The tour returns to Scotland to play Inverness at the end of March and after ten UK dates ends up in Toronto on June 26.
Æ sends best wishes to Andrew Rothney and looks forward to seeing his not inconsiderable talents on stage when his leg is suitably mended. And not before!
The full review of the current incarnation of the James Plays trilogy is here: The James Plays Trilogy: ★★★★☆. Reviews of the original productions at the EIF 2014 can be found under the tag The James Plays.
Listing
The James Plays
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
Run ends Sat 13
James I
Wed 10: 7.30pm; Thu 11: 2.30pm; Sat 13 at 12pm.
James II
Thu 11: 7.30pm; Sat 13: 4pm.
James III:
Fri 12: 7.30pm; Sat 13: 8.15pm.
ENDS
