Fans of David Tennant were disappointed last year when his highly anticipated West End production of Macbeth had to cancel several shows.

The actor, best known for his role as Doctor Who, was slated to play the title role of the Scottish tragedy alongside actress Cush Jumbo, but the production was hit with a sudden setback.

Four performances were called off at the Harold Pinter Theatre, leaving ticket-holders frustrated and confused.

The Mystery Illness Revealed as Swine Flu

Actor Cal MacAninch, who played Banquo in the production, recently opened up about the cause of the cancellations.

He confirmed that the illness that affected the cast, including Tennant, was swine flu. MacAninch revealed that the cast members, including Tennant, were hit hard by the virus, which led to the cancellation of shows in late December.

“We had to cancel several performances, and it turned out that swine flu had swept through the cast,” he said, noting that it was a tough time for everyone involved.

The Curse of Macbeth – Fact or Fiction?

Superstitions around the Macbeth play are infamous in the theater world, with many believing that saying its name in a theater is bad luck.

Known as the “curse of Macbeth,” this superstition has plagued many productions of the play over the years.

MacAninch admitted that he didn’t take the curse seriously, but looking back, he joked that maybe the cast should have been more “respectful” of the superstition.

Unfortunately, the illness was just one of the challenges the cast had to face.

Frustrated Fans Express Their Discontent

The cancellations led to a wave of upset theatergoers, especially those who had traveled long distances.

One fan expressed frustration on social media, revealing they had traveled all the way from Lyon, France, only to be informed about the cancellation last minute.

“It’s a shame they didn’t announce it earlier in the day,” the fan commented, adding that they wasted time and money on an empty night in London.

The theater offered apologies and promised that ticket providers would be in contact with affected patrons.

A Rowdy Audience Member Causes a Stir

As if the illness and cancellations weren’t enough, the production also dealt with a particularly unruly audience member.

During one performance in December, a man complained loudly about not having a toilet break during the show, which he felt was unacceptable considering the £250 ticket price.

He caused a scene, demanding to be allowed back into the theater after stepping out for a break.

His outburst was met with chants from the audience, and he eventually left the theater to cheers from fellow theatergoers.

The Show Must Go On – A Filming for Cinemas

Despite the setbacks, Macbeth is not finished yet.

The production will be available for cinema screenings, with a special filming set to be shown on February 5.

Directed by Max Webster, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy was previously performed at the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden and was met with praise.

Now, fans who missed out on seeing it live will get another chance to experience the drama on the big screen.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn