Freddie Fox is to share the role of Romeo with Richard Madden in Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Romeo And Juliet following Madden’s recent ankle injury.
Fox has joined the company after Tom Hanson, who has played Paris in the production in addition to understudying Romeo, also suffered an injury to his leg. Fox will therefore join the company from Tuesday 26 July, following a period of intensive rehearsals with co-stars Lily James, Derek Jacobi, Meera Syal and the rest of the company over the last 48 hours.
Fox’s recent stage credits include the role of Romeo at the Sheffield Crucible Theatre, as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Southwark Playhouse. He was recently announced to have joined the cast of Tom Stoppard’s Travesties at the Menier Chocolate Factory later this year.
Madden is making a good recovery from the running injury, with doctors prescribing rest and physiotherapy between performances. The producers and cast are continuing to take daily medical advice and therefore are unable to give advance casting information.
Kenneth Branagh said, “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.”
Romeo And Juliet plays at the Garrick Theatre until 13 August. The show will then be followed with the final production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick season, The Entertainer, from 20 August.
Everyone at Official London Theatre would like to wish both Madden and Hanson speedy recoveries and quick returns to the stage.